



























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































€ I 1 • 

I. 




' <l>^\ 

'...•' o’- % 



*oVo^ aV .. . 'o 0 ’Oj. 



'j> 0 ' 





® „ o 


'P^ <6 * 

- 



** . 

4 -A, * P y. O 0 ^ O 

«N ♦ ^fOTPp^ ^ V o 

- ^ aN 

• ^ ^ ■* ^ 0 ' 
kP « A 





• ^ 


-Tr,-’'^o- _ A'- %,^^-^'\o'> %* 

aO 4 * ^ • ’ • o^ .(y »•••/■ 

^ c^-"^ •‘,^^'* ♦ Wa*« ,' >^ '. 





j> 0 ' 



v" a' 

...•\«’-'^ '^o *. 


aO^ 

r *' ^ '’"'he. “jSi^^^»° i.'?^ 

V '■’* aO ^O. ' 

> ^((CvsrA** ^f> ^ tV 

"'**’' ’^<0 ''■•** A 

j> ••'»^'’ '^-f ftr .•^•. ^ a' 

' '^ov*' -^Ao’ « 





9 t n 




v'^ A- %*"’* 0 ^° .-/% 





c,^ vP 

- _ •-* 

^-<1^ 'o,** 0^ ^' 

‘ .V 




C5 ♦/TTT* A 



o M O ’ ^ - 0 f 



iW 






*•<’* A° V *•••' .-!>'■ %. *•■• 

.- 3 -^ .V 5 i^'. •>\V/ 9 i!” 

••> <' .O' o^ /V* * 

» • *^' • ♦ oi^ o ®" • ♦ ^‘ 

'♦ '^». - 4 :* %. 4 ^ .■& • 

*>w.‘ o 'i^ ■% *; 

t i M ^O O 41 

C si 0 

♦ 

« • 






.0' O®."***. 'O. 


• "** 1 ^ 0 ° . 

^ Or 

4% ik * * *^ O i. 0 ^ * * * * 

^ ♦ jA K 0 A. ** < 1 ^ * 



.A V * » 

4 ^^ , t ^ ^ 

•%. 4 






V' f ’ • 



• » 





- C^ '^f% 

♦ 4 ? 

•4 

XV ••>'•♦ 0^ 0 ®" • ♦ ^o -ly •'’' 

r*. -ov^' -^- 0 ^ ' 





'b V 










t 


•- i 

I ■ 


'I 


u 


■ / 

A ' 

' ! L 1 • 



« 


f • 

‘ ir 



•) 




A 


4 








t 




6 


j 


ff 



Hppletons’ Ibome IReabing Boohs 

EDITED BY 

WILLIAM T. HARRIS, A. M., LL. D. 

UNITED STATES COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION 


DIVISION III 


, Social Science 












specie vaults, United Slates 'J’reasury, Washington, D, C. 










APPLETONS’ HOME READING BOOKS 

II ___ 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS 

i 

A STORY OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS 
FOR THE YOUTH OF THE NATION 



NEW YORK 

D. APPLETON AND COMPANY 
1898 





Copyright, 1897 , 

By D. APPLETON AND COMPANY. 


C t I 





TO MY DAUGHTER, 

WHOSE INQUIRIES ABOUT NATIONAL AFFAIRS SUGGESTED THE 
PRODUCTION OF THIS STORY, AND WHOSE INTEREST AS 
IT DEVELOPED ENCOURAGED ME IN THE WORK ; 

AND 

TO THE YOUTH OF THE NATION, 

WHO ARE AND SHOULD BE INTERESTED IN THE AFFAIRS 
OF THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS PEOPLE, 


THIS STORY IS DEDICATED. 


XT'I 










IIS'TEODUCTIO]^ TO THE HOME EEADIHG 
BOOK SEEIES BY THE EDITOE. 


The new education takes two important direc¬ 
tions—one of these is toward original observation, 
requiring the pupil to test and verify what is taught 
him at school by his own experiments. The infor¬ 
mation that he learns from books or hears from his 
teacher’s lips must be assimilated by incorporating it 
with his own experience. 

The other direction pointed out by the new edu¬ 
cation is systematic home reading. It forms a part of 
school extension of all kinds. The so-called “ Univer¬ 
sity Extension ” that originated at Cambridge and Ox¬ 
ford has as its chief feature the aid of home reading by 
lectures and round-table discussions, led or conducted 
by experts who also lay out the course of reading. 
The Chautauquan movement in this country prescribes 
a series of excellent books and furnishes for a goodly 
number of its readers annual courses of lectures. The 
teachers’ reading circles that exist in many States pre¬ 
scribe the books to be read, and publish some analysis, 
commentary, or catechism to aid the members. 

Home reading, it seems, furnishes the essential 
basis of this great movement to extend education 

vii 



UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


viii 

beyond the school and to make self-culture a habit 
of life. 

Looking more carefully at the difference between 
the two directions of the new education we can see 
what each accomplishes. There is first an effort to 
train the original powers of the individual and make 
him self-active, quick at observation, and free in his 
thinking, l^ext, the new education endeavors, by the 
reading of books and the study of the wisdom of the 
race, to make the child or youth a participator in the 
results of experience of all mankind. 

These two movements may be made antagonistic 
by poor teaching. The book knowledge, containing as 
it does the precious lesson of human experience, may 
be so taught as to bring with it only dead rules of 
conduct, only dead scraps of information, and no 
stimulant to original thinking. Its contents may be 
memorized without being understood. On the other 
hand, the self-activity of the child may be stimulated 
at the expense of his social well-being—his originality 
may be cultivated at the expense of his rationality. 
If he is taught persistently to have his own way, to 
trust only his own senses, to cling to his own opinions 
heedless of the experience of his fellows, he is pre¬ 
paring for an unsuccessful, misanthropic career, and 
is likely enough to end his life in a madhouse. 

It is admitted that a too exclusive study of the 
knowledge found in books, the knowledge which is 
aggregated from the experience and thought of other 
people, may result in loading the mind of the pupil 
with material which he can not use to advantage. 


EDITOR’S INTRODUCTION. 


IX 


Some minds are so full of lumber that there is no 
space left to set up a workshop. The necessity of 
uniting both of these directions of intellectual activity 
in the schools is therefore obvious, but we must not, 
in this place, fall into the error of supposing that it is 
the oral instruction in school and the personal influ¬ 
ence of the teacher alone that excites the pupil to ac¬ 
tivity. Book instruction is not always dry and theo¬ 
retical. The very persons who declaim against the 
book, and praise in such strong terms the self-activity 
of the pupil and original research, are mostly persons 
who have received their practical impulse from read¬ 
ing the writings of educational reformers. Yery few 
persons have received an impulse from personal con¬ 
tact with inspiring teachers compared with the num¬ 
ber that have received an impulse from such books as 
Herbert Spencer’s Treatise on Education, Bousseau’s 
Emile, Pestalozzi’s Leonard and Gertrude, Francis 
W. Parker’s Talks about Teaching, G. Stanley 
Hall’s Pedagogical Seminary. Think in this connec¬ 
tion, too, of the impulse to observation in natural sci¬ 
ence produced by such books as those of Hugh Miller, 
Faraday, Tyndall, Huxley, Agassiz, and Darwin. 

The new scientific book is different from the old. 
The old style book of science gave dead results where 
the new one gives not only the results, but a minute 
account of the method employed in reaching those re¬ 
sults. An insight into the method employed in dis¬ 
covery trains the reader into a naturalist, an historian, 
a sociologist. The books of the writers above named 
have done more to stimulate original research on the 


X 


UNCLE SAM'S SECRETS. 


part of their readers than all other influences com¬ 
bined. 

It is therefore much more a matter of importance 
to get the right kind of book than to get a living 
teacher. The book which teaches results, and at the 
same time gives in an intelligible manner the steps of 
discovery and the methods employed, is a book 
which will stimulate the student to repeat the ex¬ 
periments described and get beyond these into flelds 
of original research himself. Every one remem¬ 
bers the published lectures of Faraday on chemistry, 
which exercised a wide influence in changing the style 
of books on natural science, causing them to deal 
with method more than results, and thus to train 
the reader’s power of conducting original research. 
Robinson Crusoe for nearly two hundred years has 
stimulated adventure and prompted young men to 
resort to the border lands of civilization. A library 
of home reading should contain books that stimulate 
to self-activity and arouse the spirit of inquiry. The 
books should treat of methods of discovery and evo¬ 
lution. All nature is unified by the discovery of 
the law of evolution. Each and every being in the 
world is now explained by the process of development 
to which it belongs. Every fact now throws light on 
all the others by illustrating the process of growth in 
which each has its end and aim. 

The Home Reading Books are to be classed as 
follows: 

First Division. Natural history, including popular 
scientific treatises on plants and animals, and also de- 


EDITOR’S INTRODUCTION. 


XI 


scriptions of geographical localities. The branch of 
study in the district school course which corresponds 
to this is geography. Travels and sojourns in distant 
lands; special writings which treat of this or that 
animal or plant, or family of animals or plants; any¬ 
thing that relates to organic nature or to meteorol¬ 
ogy, or descriptive astronomy may be placed in this 
class. 

Second Division. Whatever relates to physics or 
natural philosophy, to the statics or dynamics of air or 
water or light or electricity, or to the properties of 
matter; whatever relates to chemistry, either organic 
or inorganic—books on these subjects belong to the 
class that relates to what is inorganic. Even the so- 
called organic chemistry relates to the analysis of 
organic bodies into their inorganic compounds. 

Third Division. History and biography and eth¬ 
nology. Books relating to the lives of individuals, and 
especially to the social life of the nation, and to the 
collisions of nations in war, as well as to the aid that 
one gives to another through commerce in times of 
peace; books on ethnology relating to the manners 
and customs of savage or civilized peoples; books on 
the primitive manners and customs which belong to 
the earliest human beings—books on these subjects be¬ 
long to the third class, relating particularly to the hu¬ 
man will, not merely the individual will but the social 
will, the will of the tribe or nation; and to this third 
class belong also books on ethics and morals, and on 
forms of government and laws, and what is included 
under the term ci\T.cs or the duties of citizenship. 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


xii 


Fourth Division, The fourth class of books in¬ 
cludes more especially literature and works that make 
known the beautiful in such departments as sculpture, 
painting, architecture and music. Literature and art 
show human nature in the form of feelings, emotions, 
and aspirations, and they show how these feelings 
lead over to deeds and to clear thoughts. This de¬ 
partment of books is perhaps more important than 
any other in our home reading, inasmuch as it teaches 
a knowledge of human nature and enables us to un¬ 
derstand the motives that lead our fellow-men to 
action. 

To each book is added an analysis in order to aid 
the reader in separating the essential points from the 
unessential, and give each its proper share of atten¬ 
tion. 

W. T. Hakkis. 

Washington, D. C., November 16 y ISVO. 


PREFACE. 


The purpose of tliis little story is to furnish to the 
youth of the land some facts about the affairs of the 
nation, and to awaken in the mind of the reader an 
interest in kindred subjects. The information given 
in the conversations with which these pages abound 
is familiar to many, but is deemed especially useful 
to the rising generation- in stimulating a desire to be¬ 
come better informed of the affairs of their country. 
Great care has been exercised to make the statements 
accurate and unprejudiced, and by a copious index 
to render the work of value to those desiring to util¬ 
ize it as a book of reference. The more important 
purpose, however, and one which it is hoped may 
be realized, is to awaken such interest in the minds 
of young people as to lead them to seek further 
and more detailed information upon the subjects 
briefly outlined in this story. A list of books which 
may be conveniently utilized for that purpose is given 
in the analysis of the story which follows. Should 

xiii 



XIV 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


the story result, by either of these processes, in in¬ 
creasing the information of any part of the people of 
the United States about the affairs of their own na¬ 
tion, and thus stimulate their love and reverence for 
its institutions, the purpose of the author will have 
been fully accomplished. 

O. P. A. 

Washington, D. C., September 1, 1807. 


LIST OF FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS. 


FACING 

PAGE 


“ They all seem to be promises to pay money, and not money 

itself,” said Robert.12 

“What’s all that row of boxes and things for?” said Mr. 

Gordon, standing on tiptoe.22 

Mr. Chilton made no reply; he rubbed his riglit ear and 

looked silently at Mr. Patterson.31 

“ It takes years, sometimes centuries, for them to extend down 
to the floor or to reach the stalagmites which grow up to 

meet them ”.52 

Map of North America in the Ice Period.61 

Robert, being the best climber, was flrst sent up the ladder . 71 

“ This,” said he, “ is Carpenter’s Hall, where the flrst Conti¬ 
nental Congress met ”.78 ' 

“ It was here,” said Mr. Patterson, “ that the Declaration of 
Independence was adopted, and Congress held its sessions 

when in Philadelphia ”.81 

A short walk brought them to the door of the Mint . . 83 ^ 

“ These women,” said Mr, Haliday, “ test the weight of every 

coin ”.92 

The coining press.94 

Specimens of rare postage stamps.104 

Glimpse of the Capitol. The new terraces at the western ' 

front. 240 " 


XV 









XVI 


UNCLE SAFE’S SECEETS. 


FACING 

PAGE 


1 


Looking down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol 
The great East Room, President’s mansion 
The home of Washington, Mount Vernon . . . . 

The Post-Office Department, Washington. 

The Treasury Department, Washington . . . . 

The Library of Congress. 

Specie vaults, TTnited States Treasury, Washington, D. C. 


245 . 
251 ’^ 


/ 


2eS' 


288 

293 


/ 


310 




325 


/' 





ANALYSIS OF UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS, 

WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING 
UPON THE SUBJECTS DISCUSSED. 


Chapter I.—Mr. Gordon, a West Virginia farmer, comes home 
with five $500 bills and $500 in gold and silver, which he has 
received for the sale of a mountain on his farm. He remarks that 
he took most of it in bills because he found that $3,000 in coin 
was too heavy to carry. Daniel Patterson, his adopted son, who 
is of a studious nature, tells how much a silver and a gold dollar 
weighs, and how much the $3,000 would have weighed in silver 
and gold. In the examination of the bills it is discovered that 
no two of them are alike, and that they are all merely promises 
to pay money instead of being money itself. By an accident an 
inkstand is overturned and the bills soaked with ink. 

Suggestions for Study .—See articles in Bossing’s Cyclopsedia 
of United States History, the American Cyclopnedia, and John¬ 
son’s Universal Cycloptedia, on coins, currency, etc. 

Chapter II.—Dan remembers next morning that he has read 
somewhere that the Government exchanges good money for that 
which has been defaced. He proposes to visit Congressman Jones 
and ask him to take the bills to Washington and get new ones, 
but on visiting his residence finds that he has gone to Washing¬ 
ton. It is then decided that Dan shall go to Washington with 
the bills and find Congressman Jones and get them exchanged. 
He joins his uncle, Samuel Patterson, a clerk in a railway postal 
car, and begins the trip by learning a series of facts about the 
railway mail and other postal service. 

For Study .—See Cushing’s Story of our Post OflBce. 

2 xvii 



xviii 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


Chapter III.—Description of the interior of a mail car. Con¬ 
versation between Dan and his uncle about the way the mails are 
handled and distributed, the cost of the service, star routes and 
railroad routes, the number of miles traveled, etc., the different 
kinds of stamps sold and the total number of pieces of mail han¬ 
dled annually, the rates of postage at various periods, the history 
of the Post Office Department from the beginning, and a com¬ 
parison of our mail service with that of other countries. Mr. 
Chilton, a post-office inspector, also performing certain duties in 
tlie secret service of the Treasury Department, makes his appear¬ 
ance. Mr. Patterson, Dan’s uncle, informs Mr. Chilton about the 
ink-soaked bills. lie inquires their character, and Dan reads to 
him the wording upon each of the bills from the slips of paper 
on which he had written them just prior to the accident. Mr. 
Chilton explains one by one the character and history of each of 
the five kinds of paper money of the country represented by these 
bills. 

For Study .—See Story of our Post Office, Lossing’s Cyclopjp- 
dia of United States History, Johnson’s Universal Cyclopsedia, 
and the American Cyclopaedia, on currency, money, greenbacks, 
bank notes, etc. 

Chapter IV.—The scene is transferred to the Gordon home¬ 
stead. Prof. Silurian, a professor of geology, and his pupil, Mr. 
Canby. call and ask to be shown the way to a cave in that vicinity. 
Two of Mr. Gordon’s boys pilot them to the cav'e. On the way 
Prof. Silurian tells his companions the geological history of caves, 
how they are formed by the action of water containing carbonic 
acid, and how the study of caves and their contents has given an 
insight into prehistoric facts regarding climate, the history of con¬ 
tinents and prehistoric races of men. The exploration of the 
cave. The young people ask about stalactites and stalagmites 
and other geological facts, and are told of them in a conversational 
way. They finally reach a river which cuts off farther passage 
through the cave, but discover a narrow ledge of rock on which 
they cross. A stone thrown at a bat by one of the boys causes a 
fall of stalactites upon the ledge of rocks, dashing them into the 
river and making return impossible. 

For Study .—Read articles in the American Cyclopaedia and 
the Encyclopa?dia Britannica on caves, geology, etc. 


ANALYSIS OF UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


XIX 


Chapter V.— Description of the portion of the cavern in 
which they are imprisoned. Prof. Silurian suspects that the 
dome reaches to the surface, and on close examination discovers 
an opening at the top. In answering questions as to the forma¬ 
tion of this large cavern, he suggests that it may have been an 
opening from the lake caused by the ice dam across the Ohio 
during the Glacial period, and gives a brief outline of the glacial 
history of America. By an ingenious method the professor suc¬ 
ceeds in getting a cord, and then a rope to a piece of timber at 
the opening, and hoisting the members of the party to the opening. 

For Study .—Head the chapter on glaciers in Vol. I of The 
Earth and its Inhabitants, by Ernst Reclus; also the Ice Age in 
North America, by Prof. G. Frederick Wright, or encyclopaedia 
articles on glaciers. Glacial period, etc. 

Chapter VI.—Dan and his uncle arrive at Philadelphia and 
stop over for a few hours. Mr. Patterson takes Dan to the places 
of the meeting of the Continental Congresses, and incidentally 
tells him where all the meetings of Congress have been held from 
the beginning to the final location at Washington. They visit 
the Mint, where Dan is introduced to his uncle’s friend, Mr. Ilali- 
day. Dan explains that he has brought some lumps of metal 
which he believes to be gold, picked up in the creek at home. 
He produces them, and the metal, which proves to be gold, is put 
through every step of the transformation into pure metal, the 
process being described in a conversational way. 

For Study .—See Lossing’s Cyclopjedia of United States His¬ 
tory for history of early congresses. For description of United 
Slates Mint and its work, see American Cyclopasdia; also annual 
reports of Director of the United States Mint. 

Chapter VII.—The gold having been assayed is taken to the 
coinage department of the Mint and turned into coin, each step 
being explained in detail, along with many other interesting 
facts regarding the operation of the Mint, and the method of 
making all kinds of coin, their alloy, weight, etc. The method of 
smelting gold and silver, separating it from the rocks and metal 
with which it is found, is also explained by Mr. Haliday. 

For Study .—Same as preceding chapter. 

Chapter VIII.—Dan and his uncle go to call on Mr. Kennard, 
a mail clerk on an ocean steamer. En route they pass the window 


XX 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


of a dealer in rare postage stamps, which gives Mr. Patterson an 
opportunity to explain the history of postage stamps first used in 
this country, etc. Arriving at the steamer Mr. Kennard explains 
all about the foreign mail service, how the mails are handled on 
the steamers, and forwarded all over the world, through the 
operations of the Postal Union, the rates of postage to and from 
the various countries, how the Postal Union has simplified and 
expedited the service, the number of letters handled by the 
foreign mails, and the fact that Americans are the greatest letter 
writers of the world. The method by which dutiable articles are 
received through the mails and the duty collected is also ex¬ 
plained. 

For Study .—Story of our Post Office, chapters on for¬ 
eign mail service, rates of postage, stamps, etc.; also American 
Cyclopaedia article on postage. 

Chapter IX.—Dan having been arrested on charge of stealing 
a die from the Mint, Mr. Haliday, an officer of the Mint, feeling 
an interest in his case, spends the evening with him, telling him 
the history of the coinage of the country, beginning with the 
first coinage by colonial mints, and following down, noting 
each step and change to the present time. Dan writes down 
the facts thus enumerated, and, asking questions, obtains further 
details. 

For Study .—See Cyclopaedia of United States History, re¬ 
ports of Director of the Mint, and United States Treasury Cir¬ 
cular No. 123 for late information about coins and coinage. 

Chapter X.—Further conversation between Mr. Haliday and 
Dan, in which the former continues his history of the currency of 
the country, starting from the issue of bills of credit by the colo¬ 
nies, the continental paper currency, the United States Bank and 
its vicissitudes, the State banks and their coinage, and the cur¬ 
rency provided by the legislation since the war—these facts are 
written down by Dan in tabular form with dates, etc. 

For Study .—Same as above; also see Dictionary of American 
Politics (Thomas V. Cooper). 

Chapter XI.—Continuation of conversation about the cur¬ 
rency of the country. Mr. Haliday details the history of the 
minor coinage of the country, its weight, the material of which it 
is composed, the amount of each coin which is a legal tender, the 


ANALYSIS OF UNCLE'SAM’S SECRETS. 


XXI 


number in existence, and the history of this class of coinage, all 
of which is noted down in tabular form by Dan. 

For Study .—Same as above. 

Chapter XII.—Continuation of conversations between Dan 
and Mr. Haliday, in which the questions of bimetallism, mono¬ 
metallism, and the relations of gold and silver in the currency of 
various nations are discussed. 

For Study .—See American Cyclopaedia for 1896, Treasury 
Circular 123, Johnson’s Universal Cyclopiedia, and annual Alma¬ 
nacs of New York Tribune and World and Chicago News for 
1897. 

Chapter XIII.—Beginning of Dan’s trial. Some humors of 
court scenes. Dan asks Colonel Ransecker, his counsel, why he is 
being tried in the United States Court, what the relation of the 
various United States Courts are to each other and to the States 
and citizens, and is told all these and other important facts about 
the judicial system. The judge, having learned the character of 
Prof. Silurian’s discoveries, postpones the case and allows IMr. 
Haliday, the prosecuting witness, to give bail for Dan. 

For Study .—See appropriate articles in Lalor’s Encyclopiudia 
of Political Science and United States History; also Lossing’s 
Cyclopaedia of United States History. 

Chapter XIV.—Mr. Chilton goes to West Virginia to meet his 
chief, who tells him that registered letters are being robbed in that 
section, and orders him to get to work on the case. While await¬ 
ing results the letter carrier, whom he has taken into his confi¬ 
dence, asks about the man who was around taking the census, and 
what it was for. Mr. Chilton explains the census, its origin, the 
reasons for it, how it is managed, its cost, and its value, not only 
in showing the details of the condition of the people, but also en¬ 
ables a comparison with those of other countries. Statements 
showing the prosperity, education, currency, individual and na¬ 
tional wealth as compared with other countries. 

For Study .—See American Cyclopaedia on census, especially 
volumes of Annual for 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894; also Lossing’s 
Cyclopaedia of United States History. 

Chapter XV.—Mr. Chilton in a further conversation answers 
questions of the letter carrier about the revenues of the Govern¬ 
ment—how raised, how divided, how expended, etc. 


XXll 


UXCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


For Study .—See annual reports of tlie Secretary of the Treas¬ 
ury ; also annual volumes of American Cyclopfedia, annual Al¬ 
manacs of the New York Tribune and World and Chicago News, 
and Statistical Abstract, issued by the United States Treasury De¬ 
partment. 

Chapter XVI.—Dan and his uncle start from Philadelphia to 
Washington. On the train they encounter Lieutenant Wetherall 
of the navy, who in conversation tells Dan of the history and 
achievements of the navy, and especially the construction and 
wonders of the modern naval vessel and modern guns. 

Fpr Study .—See annual volumes of American Cyclopa3dia; 
also Cyclopedia of United States History. 

Chapter XVII.—Dan and his uncle reach Washington. They 
are driven past the Capitol to Mr. Patterson’s boarding house, and 
Dan is told of the destruction of the building by the British in the 
War of 1812. This leads to a discussion of the wars in which this 
country has been engaged and their causes, upon which he is en¬ 
lightened by General Shuter, whom he meets at the boarding 
house. 

For Study. —Lossing’s Cyclopaedia of United States History, 
American Cyclopaedia, etc. 

Chapter XVIII.—Visit to the House of Representatives. 
Colonel Ransecker discusses the tariff question, which is under 
discussion in the House as they leave, laying down the broad lines 
on which the parties divide upon it, and the outlines of legislation 
on that subject. Arriving at the Treasury, they find themselves 
too late to get in, the building having closed to the public at 
2 P. M. 

For Study .—See Johnston’s Handbook of American Politics, 
Dictionary of American Politics, American Cyclopaedia, and Cyclo¬ 
paedia of United States History. 

Chapter XIX.—Colonel Ransecker tells Dan the history of 
the great political parties from the beginning, the broad lines 
which have separated the strict constructionists from the broad 
constructionists, and the chief questions on which parties have 
divided from the beginning down. 

For Study.—See Johnston’s Handbook of American Politics, 
Lossing’s Cyclopasdia of United States History, Dictionary of 
American Politics, Johnson’s Universal Cyclopedia, etc. 


ANALYSIS OF UNCLE SA]M’S SECRETS. xxiii 

CuAPTER XX. — Dan and Colonel Ransecker, after a visit to 
Mount Vernon, discuss the electoral system, as to the reasons for the 
election of a President by electors, the history of this system and 
how the party nominations for President, first by congressional 
caucuses, then by State legislatures, and finally by national con¬ 
ventions, defeated the original intention regarding the selection 
as well as election of a President by the electors. 

For SUidy .—Same as above. 

The remaining chapters are mostly occupied with the move¬ 
ment of the characters of the story, whose adventures and experi¬ 
ences in the earlier chapters have, of course, been omitted as far 
as practicable in the above analysis for study. 


■7 , • X 


ffe 

^.. - , cvj';- H 



f^-' 4 V= 



"Sr:* 


■ r^i'. 


r •' -. 


/ • 



— r--. ■ ' • ■ /•.*«. - 


■ 


. #. ■ - ' ^ 1 





* ''k •* i*- V- ^ ■ 

:t.l /;■•' ■ 'JS 

i • _ .*■•»..' r -*jl - .'.uJt *. ■ 

. • ■.’*; IE- ' 


• • -■■*_* • % 
P-9'4?'k ' ‘•' - •'^' 

F«(<>' v». '»' ^ ' • 


. .• 





' I 




-HW 4 

■m '• 

* '■ i 

. T"' u^k^hv 1 


1*4 


J ■ 


-■ '' * ' 3 . 

" *'. ‘ • ■ 


I- 


0 


, • 


.’T' 


* 4 


•«{-* 


L ^ • 




♦s 








!»>» 




• «• 

t’ 




< • 



• * * 


• • 


• I 




I 

ji 








UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


CHAPTER I. 

Theke was great excitement at the Gordon home¬ 
stead. Mr. Gordon had come home after several days’ 
absence, and with a smile upon his face, which showed 
that his trip had been successful. 

Yes, the mountain is gone,” said he, as he kissed 
his wife and children, and affectionately asked how 
they had fared in his absence—yes, the mountain 
is gone, and we got a hundred times as much for it as 
I ever supposed it would be worth.” 

Mr. Gordon always said we ” when he was talk¬ 
ing about his business and belongings. His one am¬ 
bition in the management of his farm and home and 
business was to do well for his family, and thus he 
always thought of all his earnings as their property 
quite as much as his own. 

Who would have thought that the old mountain 
that we so often wished out of the way would bring 
us three thousand dollars, all in cash? ” said he. 

Three thousand dollars! ” exclaimed Mrs. Gor¬ 
don and the children in a chorus of astonishment; 
three thousand dollars! ” 

Then there was silence; and Mrs. Gordon, reach- 
1 



2 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS, 


ing out a trembling hand whose big joints and callous 
fingers showed the effect of years of hard work, churn¬ 
ing and sewing and milking and baking, laid it upon 
her husband’s arm. Reuben,” she said—Reuben, 
do you really mean it? ” 

Mean it? ” he said, as he threw his arms about 
her, mean it ? God bless you, Mary! do you suppose 
that I would tell you a story like that if it was not 
true? ” 

Ro, Reuben,” she answered, as the tears of joy 
trickled down her face; I know you wouldn’t, but 
it seemed too good to believe. Forgive me, Reuben.” 

Yes, it does seem hard to believe; but here is 
the evidence of it,” and he put his hand into his pocket 
and was about to draw out a suspicious-looking lump 
that made his Sunday trousers fairly bulge at the 
pocket. 

‘^Wait a bit,” said he, as he drew his hand out 
again. AYe must not forget where it came from and 
who sent it. Let us all kneel down and thank God 
for this fortune which he has sent us.” 

And without another word they knelt, the chil¬ 
dren covering their faces with their hands, but steal¬ 
ing furtive looks of astonishment at each other be¬ 
tween the fingers, while the father, with his strong 
right arm about the waist of his wufe, raised his heart 
and voice in a humble prayer of thanksgiving. 

It was a modest mountain home in AYest AGrginia 
where the occurrences above narrated had taken place. 
Reuben Gordon, whose father had removed from Vir¬ 
ginia to AYest AGrginia in 1863 because he did not 
Avant to go out of the Union, and yet was unwilling 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


3 


to give up the name of Virginia as his home, was the 
owner of a one-hundred-acre farm in the mountain¬ 
ous region of that State, which has of late so developed 
by the discoveries of coal and iron, and the extension 
of railroads which followed these discoveries. For 
years he had struggled along, raising a little corn and 
wdieat and tobacco, sending his children to the district 
school in winter, and sparing them from work in sum¬ 
mer whenever it was possible, wishing vainly for more 
success by which he could give them more education, 
and thus better fit them to enter upon the duties of 
life. And there was a houseful of them. Three 
daughters and two sons gathered with Mr. and Mrs. 
Gordon around the plainly furnished table and bowed 
their heads as he returned thanks before each meal. 
Jennie, the eldest, was the picture of her mother in 
the days when Reuben Gordon first found his heart 
beating faster as he met pretty Mary Johnson—wav¬ 
ing brown hair, which fell in masses over her shoul¬ 
ders; cheeks which showed that the long climbs up 
mountain sides had given her perfect health; and a 
slender but well-developed figure, all conspired to 
make Jennie Gordon the admiration of the neighbor¬ 
hood; and it was not surprising that Wallace Addi¬ 
son, who lived in the castle ’’ up the valley, had 
found it often convenient to stop for dinner at the 
Gordon farmhouse as he rode, booted and spurred, 
over the mountain roads. The other children ranged 
downward—Robert, a vigorous boy of fourteen, who 
was able to do almost a man’s work in the field; Jim¬ 
my, whose skill as an angler in the mountain streams 
supplied the table with many a savory fish; Mollie, 


4 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


named for lier motlier; and Eubena, whose father 
had given her this odd name with the remark that he 
did not propose to be altogether deprived of the privi¬ 
lege of naming one of his children after himself. 

There was another member of the family, not a 
son or a daughter, or even a relative, but equally a 
member of the family in the wealth of affection which 
characterized Keuben Gordon’s relations to all the 
members of his household. Daniel Patterson was the 
only son of a friend and boyhood associate of Mr. 
Gordon, who, being fatally injured in an accident on 
the railroad where he was employed, had made a last 
request of Mr. Gordon that he take care of ‘‘ Dannie 
and Mr. Gordon, whose heart was much bigger than 
his pocketbook, could not say no. And he never re¬ 
gretted that promise to his boyhood friend; for Dan¬ 
nie had always been faithful and affectionate in the 
years in which he had been developing into a fine, 
vigorous, young man, with broad shoulders, black hair 
and eyes, and a frank, honest face, tanned by exposure 
to the sun. 

There was a shout of joy when Dan came from 
the field, just as the sun was sinking below the moun¬ 
tain, wearily trudging behind the tired horses; for 
he always refused to ride them from the field, saying 
that he felt that they were too tired to carry him after 
a hard day’s work among the rocks and stumps of the 
mountain farm. 

What do you think, Dan? ” shouted Eobert and 
Jimmy in chorus, fairly panting with the race they 
had had to be the first to break the news to him— 
what do you think has happened? ” 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


6 


Dunno/’ said Dan, as he began to pull the har¬ 
ness off the horses. hTew preacher come? ’’ 

E’o/’ said Jimmy. Guess again.’’ 

Another railroad surveyed up the valley? ” 
hTo, no,” said Jimmy, bursting with anxiety to 
tell the news. Father has sold the mountain.” 

And got three thousand dollars for it,” said 
Robert, who was vexed that Jimmy should have been 
the first to break the news. 

Sold the mountain, and got three thousand dol¬ 
lars for it ? ” said Dan in astonishment. 

Yes, and he is going to show us all the money 
to-night; so hurry up, Dan, for we want to see it. 
I guess you will be glad, too, for I heard him say that 
now you could go to the seminary, and Jennie could 
have a new^ organ and learn to play in the meeting¬ 
house.” 

Dan’s eyes brightened, for his great ambition was 
to attend the seminary at the county seat, and he had 
secretly planned to sell his colt, his only property, 
when it arrived at working age, if he could by that 
sacrifice accomplish this. 

And to think that Wallace Addison tried to get 
Uncle Reuben to sell him that mountain for fifty dol¬ 
lars,” said he. Confound that fellow! I don’t like 
him. With all his fine clothes and pretended friend¬ 
ship, I think he is a humbug; and I am glad that I 
urged Uncle Reuben not to sell it to him.” 

Dan always insisted on calling Mr. Gordon Uncle 
Reuben,” and comparatively few of the neighbors 
ever thought of him in any other sense than that of 
a nephew of the man who bestowed upon him the 


6 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


same confidences and affection that lie gave to liis 
own children. 

Supper was quickly over, for the children were 
anxious to be permitted to inspect the enormous sum 
of money which Mr. Gordon had brought home as 
the price of the mountain. Bank checks, those con¬ 
venient and safe methods of transferring and trans¬ 
porting money in the cities, were not the thing for 
transactions in the sparsely settled mountain regions, 
with banks a day’s travel away, and Mr. Gordon had 
taken the entire payment in money, mostly large 
bills. 

You see,” he said, as they gathered around the 
table, and he narrated the incidents of his eventful 
trip, they were going to give me a check on a Yew 
York bank, which, they said, would be as good as gold 
everywhere; but I did not like that, so I said, ^ If it 
is as good as gold everywhere, suppose you just give 
me the gold and silver.’ But when they began count¬ 
ing it out to me in coin, I found that it would be too 
much of a load to carry home.” 

Too much of a load! ” shouted the children in 
open-eyed astonishment. How funny that anybody 
should have more money than he could carry! ” 

Let us see,” said Dan thoughtfully. That 
would be quite a load to carry in your pockets. Let 
me get the pencil, and I will tell you just how much 
it would weigh.” 

I am afraid you won’t find it, Dan,” said Mrs. 
Gordon. The pup got hold of that pencil to-day 
and chewed it all up.” 

Pshaw! ” said' Dan. Why, I paid five cents 


UNCLE SAM'S SECRETS. 7 

for that pencil only last winter, and now it is gone. 
Well, I will take the ink bottle and the pen.^’ 

Hurrying to the cupboard, he returned after a 
long search with an old-fashioned inkstand and a 
dilapidated pen, and, placing the inkstand on the 
table, began to figure on the margin of a county news¬ 
paper. 

A gold dollar,’’ said Dan thoughtfully, weighs 
25.8 grains troy weight, so a thousand dollars would 
weigh 25,800 grains. It takes 7,000 grains troy 
weight to make one pound avoirdupois, so a—thousand 
—dollars—would—weigh—3.68 pounds, and three 
thousand dollars would have pulled down pretty 
heavy on Uncle Reuben’s pockets with over eleven 
pounds of gold.” 

How about getting it in silver? ” suggested 
Robert. 

Whew! ” laughed Jimmy; I would like to see 
father’s pockets with three thousand dollars in silver 
in them.” 

It would be a sight,” said Dan with a smile. 

A silver dollar weighs 412.5 grains, so a—thousand 

—dollars—in—silver—would—weigh-” Dan 

stopped, and, after looking over his figures a moment, 
indulged in a whistle of astonishment. 

What is the matter?” asked Jennie, who was 
looking over his shoulder, admiring the neatness with 
which he made his figures and the rapidity of his cal¬ 
culations. 

Don’t seem possible,” said Dan. But there 
are the figures for it, and ^ figures don’t lie,’ they say. 
A thousand silver dollars, if I haven’t made any mis- 



8 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


take in my calculations, would weigli 58.65 pounds.— 
Yes, Jimmy, your father’s pockets would have been 
a sight with over one hundred and seventy-five pounds 
of silver in them, for that is what three thousand dol¬ 
lars would weigh.” 

Yo wonder that you took the large bills, Reu¬ 
ben,” said Mrs. Gordon, who had listened with inter¬ 
est to the conversation, keeping her knitting needles 
busy meantime. 

Yes, Mr. Addison said that was the best thing 
he could have done,” said Jennie. 

What has Mr. Addison got to do or say about 
it ? said Dan quickly, and in a tone that made every¬ 
body look up. 

Why, w^hat is the matter with Mr. Addison? ” 
said Mrs. Gordon gently. He seemed very much 
interested in what we told him about it as he stopped 
to ask for a drink of water this afternoon. He said 
large bills were just the thing, though I didn’t see 
why it should take him so long to explain to Jennie 
the reason that he preferred paper money. But girls 
don’t understand much about finance anyhow.” 

Jennie’s cheeks were aflame as she saw how eagerly 
Dan drank in every word, and how his brow darkened 
as Mrs. Gordon went on. 

Yes, but Mr. Addison seems to understand 
finance pretty well,” he answered savagely. Don’t 
you remember that he offered fifty dollars for the 
mountain, and came near getting it too? He had 
been with the men who were prospecting around there, 
pretending to be fishing, and knew all about its value, 
and wanted to cheat us out of it.” 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


9 


Oh,’’ answered Jennie, he said this afternoon 
that he did not suspect its value when he offered to 
buy it.” 

Of course not,” said Dan bitterly, rising from 
the table and turning toward the door. 

Ain’t you going to stay and see the money, 
Dan ? ” said Kobert. 

1^0,” answered Dan, as he seemed to be trying 
to swallow something in his throat, I am going out 
to close up the barn, and then I am going to bed. I 
am very tired.” 

AVhy not wait a little while, Dan,” said Jennie 
softly, and look at the money with us? It is such a 
lot; and, besides, it might be well for you to look 
carefully at the bills, for father’s eyesight is not as 
good as it used to be, you know.” 

Dan took his place at the table again without an¬ 
other word, and Mr. Gordon drew his pocketbook from 
his pocket. Doors and windows were wide open, but 
nobody thought of closing them, for those who are 
accustomed to lie down at night leaving every en¬ 
trance to the house without a latch or lock have no 
fear of robbery when they are awake. Producing the 
pocketbook, Mr. Gordon unwound a long cord which 
was wrapped a dozen times about it. 

I thought it best,” said Mr. Gordon, as every¬ 
body drew up closer to the table, and the children’s 
eyes sparkled with expectation—I thought it best 
to take most of the money in large bills. We shan’t 
want to use it for a long time—at least, not much 
of it—and I thought it would be easier taking 
care of it in big bills. So I took five five-hun- 
3 


10 UNCLfe, SAM’S SECRETS. 

dred-dollar bills and tlie remainder in gold and 
silver.’^ 

Five-liimdred-dollar bills! gasped Eobert and 
Jimmy together. Oh my! ’’ 

Then Mr. Gordon counted out one hundred silver 
dollars and piled them up in symmetrical rows on the 
table, and alongside of them forty golden eagles, mak¬ 
ing five hundred dollars in coin. 

Eow for the bills,’’ said Eobert. I never saw 
a five-hundred-dollar bill in my life.” 

J^or I,” said Jennie; nor even a one-hundred- 
dollar or a two-hundred-dollar bill; and to think that 
we have actually five of them now, and all of them 
our own.” 

Mr. Gordon unfolded the section of his old-fash¬ 
ioned pocketbook, and, with a slight tremor in his 
hand, drew forth one of the bills and held it up before 
the admiring eyes of the group. It was crisp and new, 
and the $500 stood out in bold figures upon it. There 
could be no doubt about it; it was really a five-hun¬ 
dred-dollar bill. 

"Want to see how it feels to have a five-hundred- 
dollar bill in your hand ? ” he said, with a smile, as he 
passed it to his wife. 

Let me take one too, father? ” said Eobert. 

And me?” And me?” shouted each of the 
children. 

Surely there can be no objection to gratifying this 
childish and perfectly natural curiosity, thought the 
father, and one by one he passed the precious bills to 
members of the group. 

National currency; this note is secured by bonds 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


11 


of the United States deposited with the United States 
Treasurer at Washington. The First I^ational Bank 
of Wheeling will pay Five Hundred Dollars to hearer 
on demand/ ’’ said Dan slowly, word by word, as if 
reading from the face of the note that he held in his 
hand. 

Where is that? I don’t see anything like that 
on the one I have,” said Robert. It only says: 

^ Legal tender for Five Hundred Dollars. The United 
States will pay to bearer Five Hundred Dollars at 
AVashington; Treasury note.’ ” 

AA^hy, that is strange,” said Jennie. This one 
does not have what either of you read. It says, ^ This 
certifies that there have been deposited with the Treas¬ 
ury of the United States Five Hundred Dollars in 
gold coin, repayable to bearer on demand.’ ” 

Let me get my specs,” said Mrs. Gordon ex¬ 
citedly, for I don’t believe this one is like any of 
those you have read.” And while she was fumbling 
in her workbasket for the glasses, Jimmy read from 
the note which she held, ^ Legal tender; Act of July 
11th, 1890; the Lmited States will pay to bearer Five 
Hundred Dollars in coin; AA^ashington, D. C.’ ” 

And this one,” said Mr. Gordon, as he adjusted 
his glasses, says, ^ This certifies that there have been 
deposited in the Treasury of the Lmited States Five 
Hundred Silver Dollars payable to bearer on demand, 
AVashington, D. C.; Silver certificate.’” 

There was silence and blank astonishment in their 
faces as they looked from one to another. 

That is very strange,” said Robert, no two of 
these alike; each one is different from all the others. 


12 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


And they all seem to be promises to pay money, and 
not money itself.’’ 

Did you ask about that?” said Mrs. Gordon, 
anxiously looking at ber husband. 

No,” he answered slowly; I did not notice, 
that they were not worded alike. I saw that each one 
bad five hundred dollars on it in figures or plain words, 
or both, and I thought that was enough. I never 
thought to read all that printing on them.” 

Well,” said Robert, if they are merely prom¬ 
ises to pay money, I don’t see how they can be money 
itself, any of them.” 

What if they should he no good after all? ” said 
Jimmy. 

Dan had been silent, hut anxiously comparing one 
with another, reading the words printed on the front 
and then on the back of each, turning them over and 
over again thoughtfully. 

I think I understand it, or at least partly so,” 
said he. I remember that one of the speeches that 
I read said that there were five kinds of paper cur¬ 
rency in use, for all of which the United States was 
in some way responsible. I remember, too, that, al¬ 
though the hills were merely promises to pay the 
number of dollars in gold or silver that were named 
on their face, they are seldom offered for redemption 
in coin, because the hills are more convenient, and the 
people, knowing that the Government would pay the 
coin for them any time they are presented, prefer to 
keep the bills.” 

I would like to be siR;e about it, though,” said 
Mrs. Gordon. 



“ Tliey all seem to be promises to pay money, and not money 
itself,” said Robert, 














« , 

« 

‘ :vj 

^?i 

■ ■ ■■^>T’i 

<*» 

•- * - # 



•v;» 



UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


13 


So should I/’ said Jennie. 

AVell/’ said Dan, I will make a copy of what 
is printed on each of the bills, and go over and ask 
Congressman Jones about it to-morrow while the 
horses are eating their dinner.’’ 

Oh, here comes my kitty! ” said Rubena, as a 
pretty white kitten frisked into the room. Pussy, 
wouldn’t you like to see all our money? Yes, she 
must see it,” and taking the playful young feline in 
her arms, she held it up to the end of the table, while 
Robert proceeded to read the words printed on each 
bill, and Dan copied them carefully. 

Do you want this long row of figures which is 
on each bill, printed in red and blue? ” asked Robert. 

Let me see them,” said Dan, taking the bill in 
his hand. I think I will copy them, but you need 
not read them to me; I can just write them down, as 
1 have the bills in my hand here.” 

So he wrote on each slip of paper the figures 
designating the serial number ” of the bill whose 
wording had been copied upon that slip of paper. 

The last word had just been called off by Robert 
and written down by Dan when there was a sharp 
crackling sound outside the window, as though some¬ 
body had stepped on a dry twig which broke beneath 
his foot. Rover, the big watchdog, who lay near the 
door, sprang to his feet, barking furiously, and in a 
moment disappeared through the door into the dark¬ 
ness. Then there was a sound as if of quick steps, like 
a man running rapidly. Every member of the family 
sprang to his feet, rushing to the door or windows, 
while Dan quickly ran out into the darkness, follow- 


14 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


ing the sound of tlie footsteps and the harking of the 
dog. 

Mr. Gordon also hurried out, and, after following 
the sound for some time, was met by Dan returning, 
quite unable to make out what was the meaning of 
the disturbance. 

It is very curious,’’ said Mrs. Gordon as they 
reached the doorsteps, where the whole family stood. 
“ Dover acted just that way to-day when Mr.-” 

She did not finish the sentence, for there was a 
cry of astonishment mingled with distress from Jen¬ 
nie, who had turned to precede the party into the 
house. 

AVhat is the matter?” cried everybody at once 
as they crowded through the door. 

Jennie could not answer in words, but pointed to 
the table, where they saw a frisking white kitten, an 
overturned ink bottle, and five new five-hundred-dollar 
bills splashed and daubed and soaked with ink, and 
being pawed and dragged through a pool of blackness 
by the innocent but successful destroyer of a fortune. 



CHAPTEE II. 


It had been a sleepless night at the Gordon home¬ 
stead. The ink-soaked bills had been a subject of 
anxiety and self-reproach to every member of the 
household. Mr. Gordon felt that it was all his fault 
in permitting them to be so freely handled by every¬ 
body, or, in fact, to have exhibited them at all or 
talked to his children about the transaction. Mrs. 
Gordon wept bitter tears that she had allowed the pup 
to get hold of Dan’s pencil after she had used it, for 
if the pencil had been in existence the ink bottle 
would not have been brought out. Jennie was not 
sure whether she was crying about the loss of the 
bills or the vexation that Dan seemed to feel because 
Mr. Addison had talked to her; but she cried all the 
same. Eobert and Jimmy agreed, as they crept sadly 
to bed, that if they had not asked so many questions, 
and said so many ridiculous things about the weight of 
the dollars, Dan would not have got down the ink 
bottle. Eubena sobbed bitterly, refusing to be com¬ 
forted, because she just knew it was her fault in tak¬ 
ing the kitten to the table. Molly secretly felt that 
if she had not pinched the kitten’s tail it would not 
have been so playful, and perhaps would not have 
turned the ink bottle over. As for Dan, he hadn’t 
15 



16 


U^X'LE SAM’S SECRETS. 


the slightest doubt that it was his fault. If he had 
not got down the ink bottle it could never have hap¬ 
pened, and if he had put the stopper in it the minute 
he had got through it would not have spilled even if 
the kitten did turn it over. The only one who did not 
take the fault of the accident upon itself was the real 
culprit, the kitten. It frisked and frisked and frisked 
until the lamp was turned out, and was up frisking 
again at daylight when Dan came down, looking red¬ 
eyed and miserable. 

Tve ruined you. Uncle Eeuben!said Dan, 
with tears in his eyes, as he met Mr. G ordon, who had 
also risen early, being unable to sleep. It was a sad 
day for you when you took me into your house. I 
wish you had left me to starve.^’ 

Nonsense, Dan,’’ said Mr. Gordon; ^Miow can 
you talk like that! Why, Dan, haven’t you been an 
eldest son to me, as faithful as you could have been 
if you were my own boy? Besides, you are not to 
blame in any way about it; it was my own fault. I 
should have kept the money in my pocket, where it 
belonged, and it would never have happened.” 

Well,” said Dan, somewhat relieved, I am 
going right over to Congressman Jones’s to see about 
it. I have read somewhere that the Government at 
Washington gives new bills in the place of those that 
have been damaged or mutilated. He is going back to 
AYashington now that he has been renominated, and 
I’ll see if he will take the bills back with him and get 
new ones in their places.” 

'' That is a good plan,” said Mr. Gordon, bright¬ 
ening up. But it is too early to go now, for con- 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. ' 17 

gressmen, who get five thousand dollars a year, work 
or play, don’t get up at daylight. Wait and eat your 
breakfast, and put on your Sunday clothes before you 
go. I want you to look well, Dan, for Mr. Jones 
seems to have taken quite a liking to you. He spoke 
to me about you just before the convention met the 
other day, and seemed quite pleased because you asked 
him to send you some more of his speeches.” 

Dan listened with pleasure, for he was glad to 
feel that the congressman took an interest in him, and 
especially because he felt that he could more readily 
ask him to take the bills to Washington and get new 
ones for them. So, after breakfast, Mr. Gordon pro¬ 
duced the ink-soaked bills. They were a sad-looking 
lot. One of them, which Mrs. Gordon had attempted 
to rescue by plunging it into a pan of spring water, 
seemed to be the worse for this effort, for it had caused 
the ink to spread all over it, and it had assumed a 
dark-brown color, through which, however, the outline 
of the lettering and numbering could yet be made out. 

Dan, who had dressed himself with scrupulous 
neatness, set off after breakfast for Congressman 
Jones’s, followed by admiring glances from Jennie 
and the best wishes of the family. But good wishes 
in this case, as in many others, were of little value, 
for Dan came back an hour later with a long face. 

Congressman Jones left for Washington last 
night,” he said. He had not intended going until 
to-morrow, but he got a telegram from the sergeant- 
at-arms, I believe they call him, saying that if he 
didn’t come to Washington at once to vote on the 
silver bill he would be arrested. The idea of arrest- 


18 


UXCLE SA]\[’S SECRETS. 


ing a congressman because lie leaves Washington for 
just a few days! It is absurd! 

How much would it cost for yon to go to Wash¬ 
ington yourself, father? asked Jennie. 

I don’t know/’ said Mr. Gordon reflectively; a 
good bit money, I suppose. Beside that, I can’t leave 
now, for they are coming soon to begin work on the 
mine that they are to start in the mountain, and they 
want me here. You see I still have an interest in it, 
for I retained a one-fifth share in the mountain, and 
am to have my proportion of the jirofits if the mine 
turns out to be good. I think the best thing is for 
Dan to go to AYashington. He can take the bills and 
go to Congressman Jones and tell him all about it, 
and ask him to help him about getting them re¬ 
deemed.” 

But the plowing must be done. Uncle Beuben,” 
said Dan; and if you have to be at the mountain 
when the men are at work at the mine, I must stay 
and keep the plow going.” 

I can do that,” said Kobert. I can hold the 
plow all right now, and Jimmy can go with me to 
help manage the horses. Dan had better go to AYash- 
ington.” 

So it was settled that Dan should take the bills to 
AYashington and try to get them exchanged for good 
ones. 

I don’t think it will cost very much for me to 
go,” said Dan, for Uncle Sam Patterson, who is a 
clerk in the mail car, told me at the station yesterday, 
when the train stopped for dinner, that his helper was 
sick, and he would like to have me go with him on 


UNCLE SA:Nf’S SECRETS. 19 

tlie return trip. It needs a pretty strong person to 
handle the big mail hags filled with letters.” 

When will your Uncle Samuel he along on his 
return trip to the East? ” said Mr. Gordon anxiously. 

Why, this very night,” said Dan. Maybe he 
will have somebody else with him to help handle the 
mail bags, for I told him I didn’t think I could leave 
the plowing. But if you really think I had better 
take the bills to lYashington, I can go to the station 
and see him when the train comes in.” 

Yes, you had better do that,” said Mr. Gordon. 
“ If there is no place for you in the mail car, you had 
better pay your fare and go in the train. The gold 
and silver money was not injured by the ink, and we 
may as well use some of that in trying to get back the 
other if necessary.” 

AYell, I will have to start soon,” said Dan, tak¬ 
ing a long breath, like one making up his mind to a 
desperate undertaking. ^Mt is a long way to the sta¬ 
tion, you know, and the roads are very muddy.” 

For a few minutes there was a scene of mild ex¬ 
citement, for trips to Washington were not every-day 
or every-year occurrences with the members of the 
Godon family. Dan applied himself to preparations, 
hut in the midst of them made a mysterious trip to 
the barn, and, after satisfying himself that he was 
alone, extracted a package from a safe hiding place 
under the rafters and smuggled it into the house and 
to the ’room in which he was packing a few effects 
preparatory to starting. Half an hour later the 
spring wagon ” was driven up in front of the door, 
and Dan, with an old-fashioned valise in hand and 


20 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


dressed in Ids Sunday suit, was ready to start. Hr. 
Gordon had loaned him his pocketbook, with the ink- 
stained bills folded up in one end of it, a couple of 
golden eagles and some silver dollars tucked in ap¬ 
propriate corners, and a slip of paper with his name 
and post-office address written on it, wrapped around 
the bills. 

I think you had better put my pocketbook in the 
valise, Dan,’’ said Mr. Gordon as they jogged along, 
for they say pickpockets are mighty sharp about 
getting pocketbooks out of people’s pockets without 
their knowing it. You can put what money you are 
likely to need by the way in your own small pocket- 
book, and it won’t be so likely to attract attention. 
Why, how heavy this valise is! ” said Mr. Gordon as 
he took it up. What’s in it? ” 

That’s a good plan, uncle,” said Dan, avoiding 
Mr. Gordon’s question about the valise. Suppose 
we put the pocketbook in now while there is nobody 
to see us; ” and, stopping the horses, he opened the 
valise, and had just located the pocketbook in the bot¬ 
tom of the valise when Rover, who was under the 
wagon, began to bark furiously, rushing toward a 
thick growth of bushes a short distance from the road, 
and exhibiting great excitement. 

“ I wonder what he’s treed in there? ” said Dan, 
the boyish instinct asserting itself for the moment. 

I’d like to go and see, but we mustn’t stop, for it 
won’t do to miss the train that Uncle Saul is on,” 
and, calling the dog back with some difficulty, they 
drove on. 

The wagon had only disappeared around the next 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


21 

bend in the road when a well-dressed man of uncertain 
age emerged from the clump of bushes, leading a 
horse, which he quickly mounted, and, turning his 
head in the direction from which Mr. Gordon and 
Dan had come, galloped rapidly up the road. 

There’s the Addison castle,” said Dan a few 
minutes later, as they passed a handsome stone house, 
built Avith considerable display of architecture, at the 
foot of the mountain. How does Mr. Addison make 
all the money he has, uncle? ” 

I don’t know,” said Mr. Gordon. I never 
knew of his doing any business since he came here a 
few years ago. He may have business interests some¬ 
where else, though, for he often goes away and is gone 
a Aveek or tAvo at a time. I confess I don’t understand 
it, but suppose it is all right. He seems to be a very 
nice young man, and comes around to our house a 
good deal lately, I notice. But AAdiat makes you ask, 
Dan?” 

Well, Uncle Sam AA^as asking about him. He 
handles his mail on the train, I suppose. There Avas 
a queer-looking chap with Uncle Sam on the last trip, 
and I noticed that he seemed to take a good deal of 
interest in the questions that uncle AA^as asking. He 
Avanted to knoAV something about the counterfeit bills 
that they had so much trouble about OA^er in the next 
county, Avhere Mr. Addison’s friends are building that 
railroad.” 

They reached the station after some hours of plod¬ 
ding through the mud, and only a little later the mail 
train came rushing in, the gong in front of the dining 
room roared its call to supper, and the hungry passen- 


22 


UNCLE SAM’S SECllETS. 


gers were soon engaged in a mad struggle with spring 
chickens of doubtful age, questionable hard-boiled 
eggs, and ancient “ mountain lambd’ 

“ Never was so glad to see anybody in my life! 
said Eailway Mail Clerk Samuel Patterson as be 
heartily shook Dan’s band. I am tired to death 
with handling these big mail bags, and I will be glad 
enough to have you go along and help me.—How arc 
you, Mr. Gordon? I am glad to have a chance to 
thank you for your excellent care of my dead brother’s 
boy. Poor fellow! he was in the same sort of work 
that I am, and his car went off the track, and he was 
added to the long list of men who have given up their 
lives for the convenience of the public.” 

Sorry I can’t invite you inside the car,” con¬ 
tinued Mr. Patterson, after a few moments’ silence, 
but it’s against the rules. Nobody is allowed inside 
but people who are employed to handle the mail or 
some officer of the Government, unless there is a per¬ 
mit from the superintendent.” 

How am I going to get in then, uncle? ” asked 
Dan anxiously. 

Oh, I looked out for that before I left Washing¬ 
ton, for I knew I should need a helper, and so got 
permission to put one on.” 

What’s all that row of boxes and things for? ” 
said Mr. Gordon, standing on tiptoe and peering up 
and down the car. 

Why, to distribute the mail. You see the mail 
which is gathered at the city from which the train 
starts, and that which is put on at the towns which 
we pass through, is not assorted very much, except 



“ What's all that row of boxes and things for i ” said Mr. 
Gordon, standing on tiptoe. 












UNCLE SAM’S SECliETS. 


23 


that all of that for one State is put together in one 
sack. So, as soon as we start we take the letters for 
the first State that we are to pass through and dis¬ 
tribute them in these boxes. All those for each city 
or town on this line of road are put into their appro¬ 
priate boxes tied up in bundles. All those for cities 
or towns on other lines of road which connect with this 
road or cross it are put into boxes for those roads and 
tied up in packages. Then they are all put off at 
their proper station. By the time we get through 
Avith the first State and the lines of road that connect 
in it Ave haA^e to begin on the next, so aa^c are kept on 
a constant hustle from ten to fourteen hours.’’ 

But hoAV about our mail? ” said Dan. You 
haA^e told about fixing up the packages for the toAvns 
on the line of road over Avhich this car runs, and those 
for the toAvns that connect Avith it, but our post office 
is not on any line of railroad.” 

Yo, you get your mail on AAdiat is knoAvn as the 
^ star route.’ There are a great many post offices not 
on the railroad or steamboat line, and to them the 
mail is carried on horseback or in stages or in some 
Axdiicle or another. They are called ^ star routes.’ 
A\^e have to knoAv all about them, too, and at Avhat 
railroad stations the mail is taken up by the carriers 
for those places. A ^ star-route ’ carrier carries the 
mail for a number of offices off the railroad, and Ave 
make up the packages for that route and throAV them 
off at the station Avhere the carrier calls for the mail.” 

There must be a good many of these ^ star 
routes ’ to carry mail to all post offices off the rail¬ 
road line? ” 


24 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


Yes, there are about 20,000 of them now. Think 
of 20,000 people engaged in carrying mail on horse¬ 
back or in vehicles all the time, and yet remember that 
your letter will reach the most inaccessible place in 
the United States for two cents. The aggregate length 
of these ^ star routes ’ in the United States is over 250,- 
000 miles, or equal to ten times the distance around 
the earth. The mails are carried over some of 
them every day, and over some of them twice a 
week.” 

Dan had been figuring upon a scrap of paper with 
a new pencil that he had bought at the store. 

Gracious! ” he said. What a lot of traveling is 
done in a year to deliver the mails! ” 

Yes, the people who ride over the ^ star routes ’ 
delivering the mails travel 115,000,000 miles in a 
year, or equal to 4,600 times around the earth. Then 
the railroad lines which carry mails are 170,000 miles 
in length, and, as the mails are carried over them more 
frequently than over the ^ star routes,’ the distance 
traveled by men in charge of these mails is over 250,- 
000,000 miles in a year. Besides this, the steamboat 
mail service covers about 12,000 miles, with a total 
travel in a year of 3,500,000 miles. So the aggregate 
number of miles traveled by the men, or parties of 
men, who distribute the mails in the United States in 
a year is about 365,000,000, or an average of a million 
miles a day.” 

It must cost a lot of money to deliver the mails 
in this way,” said Mr. Gordon. 

Bather,” smiled Uncle Sam. The cost of the 
mail service in the United States is $80,000,000 a 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


25 

year, yet that is only a little over one dollar for each 
person/’ 

I suppose,” said Dan, they did not have mails 
as frequently in the early days of the post offices, even 
though they paid more for the postage on each letter, 
did they? ” 

hTo,” said Mr. Patterson with a laugh. Benja¬ 
min Franklin, who was appointed deputy postmaster 
general for the colonies in 1753, fairly startled the 
people in 1760 by announcing that he would run a 
weekly ^ stage wagon ’ from Philadelphia to Boston, 
one leaving each city on Monday morning and reach¬ 
ing its destination at the other end of the route on 
Saturday night. So it was possible then, by close 
connections, to get a letter from Philadelphia to Bos¬ 
ton in one week, and get a reply at the end of the 
second week.” 

When was the very first post office established in 
this country, uncle? ” 

The beginning of the postal system in this coun¬ 
try, so far as we know, was when the court of the 
Massachusetts Colony made an order, in 163.9, that 
all ^ letters from beyond the sea ’ should be deposited 
with Richard Fairbanks, of Boston, who was to re¬ 
ceive one penny each for caring for them and deliver¬ 
ing them to the people calling on him for them. In 
1677 the court appointed John Hayward, scrivener, 

^ to take in and convey letters according to their di¬ 
rection.’ In 1683 William Penn issued an order for 
the establishment of a post office at Philadelphia, and 
in i710 the English Parliament authorized the estab¬ 
lishment of a ^ chief letter office ’ in Hew York, and 


26 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


otlier chief letter offices in some convenient place in 
each of the provinces or colonies in America, fixing 
the rate for carrying letters at four pence—equal to 
eight cents of our present money—to any place within 
sixty miles of New York. In 1717 the system of 
mail carrying was so completed that a letter would 
go from Boston to Williamsburg, Ya., in four weeks 
in summer and eight weeks in winter.’’ 

Let me see if I can’t get these facts on a slip of 
paper,” said Dan as he fumbled in his pocket for a 
slip of paper and wrote them down with the aid of his 
uncle, who added some further facts, as follows: 

History of the Postal Service. 

1639. Bichard Fairbanks, of Boston, authorized to re¬ 
ceive letters for the public. 

1677. John Hayward appointed to receive and convey 
letters according to directions. 

1683. William Penn established a post office at Phila¬ 
delphia. 

1710. Parliament established chief post offices in New 
York and other cities. 

1753. Benjamin Franklin appointed deputy postmas¬ 
ter general for the colonies. 

1760. Mail carried from Philadelphia to Boston in one 
week. 

1816. Letter postage reduced from 8 cents to 6d cents 
for 30 miles, 25 cents for 400 miles. 

1845. Bates reduced to 5 cents for 300 miles or less. 
1845. Private companies prohibited from carrying 
mails. 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 27 

1847. Use of postage stamps begun by tlie Govern¬ 
ment. 

1855. Registration system established. 

1862. Railway postal system established. 

1862. Free delivery system established. 

1863. Uniform rate of postage fixed at 3 cents. 

1864. Money-order system established. 

1883. Rates of postage fixed at 2 cents. 

1885. Weight of letters increased to one ounce. 

That’s enough of dry facts for the present,” said 
Mr. Patterson as the bell began to ring. Jump 
aboard, Dan! ” 

The last passenger had clambered on board, the 
conductor had swung his lantern as a signal for the 
engineer to go ahead, the engine began to puff, and 
the wheels to revolve when two men came rapidly gal¬ 
loping down the road toward the station. Their horses 
were covered with sweat and reeking with foam. 
Throwing the reins to his companion, one of them 
sprang quickly from his horse, dashed toward the now 
rapidly moving train, and managed by an extraordi¬ 
nary effort to swing himself on the steps, and then 
disappeared in the darkness along with the train, leav¬ 
ing Mr. Gordon looking after him with astonishment. 

Some hours afterward Mr. Gordon and his tired 
horses reached home. He found Mrs. Gordon still up 
and the knitting needles clicking vigorously. 

couldn’t go to bed, Reuben,” said she, bustling 
about the stove, for I knew you would want a good 
hot supper after that long ride. Besides, I wanted to 
tell you the good news. Mr. Addison says Dan won’t 
have any trouble about getting new money for the 


28 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


bills. He was liere after you left, and we told him 
about the accident. He seemed very much interested, 
and asked all about the bills, just how they were 
marked with ink, and we told him all we could remem¬ 
ber about it. He said there would be no difficulty 
about getting them exchanged. He was very nice 
about it, but had to hurry away, for he said he had an 
important engagement in Chicago to-morrow.’^ 

That is very strange,’’ said Mr. Gordon, after 
a moment’s reflection, for I am sure I saw him gallop 
up to the station just as the cars were pulling out and 
scramble on the very train that is carrying Dan to 
Washington.” 


CHAPTEK III. 


The train on wliich Dan had embarked was soon 
plunging along at regulation rates, through moun¬ 
tain passes, skirting along rapidly running streams, 
whose dashing waters seemed to be making a mad 
race to keep up with the train, shooting through tun¬ 
nels, then more slowly climbing a mountain prepara¬ 
tory to a mad rush down the other side. 

Whew, uncle! said Dan, as he tried to steady 
himself to keep from being thrown from side to side 
' as the car whirled around the sharp curves of the 
track. I don’t see how you do much work while the 
train is running.” 

All in being used to it, my boy. Luckily, I have 
got the heaviest work off, and we’ll have a little time 
to chat while you are getting accustomed to it before 
the hard work begins again.” 

So Mr. Patterson sat down beside his nephew for 
a family chat, which lasted a half hour, during which 
Dan told him of the cause of his visit to Washington 
and the valuable contents of his old-fashioned valise, 
which Mr. Patterson had already placed in the bag¬ 
gage car in special charge of the baggage master. 

You may feel sure that it’s safe,” said he, for 
Denison, the baggage master, is one of the best fel- 
29 


30 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


lows you ever saw, and you can rely upon it that he 
will take extra care of it.’’ 

Just then the door at the other end of the car 
opened and a man entered. 

Come over, here, Chilton,” shouted Mr. Patter¬ 
son, as he emptied the contents of a mail hag on the dis¬ 
tributing table. “ I want to introduce my nephew 
to you.” 

The mysterious stranger made no response. He 
seemed to he lost in a study of something in the row 
of boxes before him. For several minutes he gazed 
straight ahead of him; then turning sharply to Mr. 
Patterson, he said, Can you leave your work a min¬ 
ute? ” 

Guess so,” said he of the letters and newspapers. 

Then let me speak to you.” 

They drew into the further end of the car, and 
the mysterious little man seemed to he asking Mr. 
Patterson some questions. Dan did not like to watch 
them or listen to their conversation. So he tried to 
busy himself with a study of the long rows of boxes 
before him. He soon found, however, his eyes follow¬ 
ing the mysterious individual whom his uncle had 
designated as Mr. Chilton.” He was a small man, 
with smoothly shaven face, keen, gray eyes looking 
out through a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, and wear¬ 
ing a quiet suit of gray. You could scarcely guess at 
his age; it might be twenty-eight or thirty, it might 
be more. As he talked he occasionally rubbed his 
right ear, as though the friction stimulated his think¬ 
ing faculties. The two men walked up the car togeth¬ 
er, and Mr. Patterson introduced the stranger to Dan. 







Mr. Chilton made no reply; he rubbed his right ear and 
looked silently at Mr. Patterson. 










UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


31 


Mr. Chilton/’ said he, “ sometimes travels with 
me. He knows a good many things about the ways 
of the world. If yon should ever get into trouble, 
Dan, you will find him a valuable friend in case you 
had done nothing wrong, but very troublesome if you 
have.” 

I hope. that I shall not require that kind of as¬ 
sistance,” said Dan Avith a smile, and certainly hope 
I may never do anything that will give him occasion to 
be other than my friend.” 

Mr. Chilton made no reply. He rubbed his right 
ear, and looked silently at Mr. Patterson. 

By the way, Dan,” said Mr. Patterson, I’ve 
told Mr. Chilton about the cause of your visit to 
Washington. He knoAvs more about such things than 
I do.” 

Still Mr. Chilton made no response, and Dan 
began to think he Avas as queer in his Avays as he Avas 
in his appearance. 

Where did you say you had put your ink-soaked 
bills? ” said Mr. Patterson. 

In the bottom of the valise that you put aAvay 
in the baggage car. Mr. Gordon said the pickpockets 
might get them aAvay from me if I carried them in 
my pocket.” 

That reminds me that I did not give you your 
check,” said Mr. Patterson, producing a brass check 
and handing it to Dan. This will shoAV your right 
to the valise Avhenever you want to get it.” 

What kind of bills were they? ” asked Mr. Chil¬ 
ton, breaking silence for the first time. 

Wliy, five-hundred-dollar bills,” said Dan. 


32 


UNCLE SxVM'S SECEETS. 


But there are several kinds of five-hundred-dollar 
bills/’ said Mr. Chilton. 

Yes, I took a copy of the words on each one/’ 
said Dan, as he produced the little pockethook. I 
didn’t know that I was going to need them, but I guess 
it is a good thing I did so.” 

“ And it’s a good thing the ink didn’t go on the 
slips too,” said Mr. Chilton. I’d advise you to take 
good care of those slips. They might be valuable to 
you. Yow read me the words on each of them, and 
let me see what kind of bills they were.” 

Dan read from the first slip as follows: 


LEGAL TENDER FOR FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS. 

Unitcb Statc0 

tr/ZZ imy to the Bearer 

Five Hundred Dollars. 

Washington. Act of March 3. 1863. 


Then he turned the slip over and read from the 
other side the following words: 


This note is legal tender at its face value for all 
debts, puUic and private, except duties on imports 
and interest on the public debt. Counterfeiting or 
altering this note, or passing any counterfeit or 
alteration of it, or having in possession any false or 
counterfeit plate or impression of it, or any paper 
made in imitation of the paper on which it is 
printed, is felony, and is punishable by $5,000 fine, 
or fifteen years' imprisonment at hard labor, or 
both. 





U.NXLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


33 


Yes/’ said Mr. Chilton, that is a legal-tender 
note, or what is usually termed a ^ greenback.’ They 
are the oldest and most popular of the five kinds of 
paper money we have. You see when the war began 
in 1861 the enormous expenses soon made it necessary 
for the Treasury to have large sums of money. It 
borrowed from the banks as long as it could, but, being 
unable to borrow more. Congress, in 1862, passed an 
act authorizing the issue of notes which should be 
legal tender for all debts, both public and private, 
and there now remains $346,000,000 of them still 
outstanding. They are, you see, merely a promise 
that the United States will pay to bearer the sum 
named on the face of the note.” 

So if I wanted gold instead of this legal-tender 
note, or greenback,” saicina^^r^^yU^uld get it by 
presenting it at the the 

Government redeem its p/omise to pay tlSt^^ount 
to bearer, could I? ” g 

Precisely. It was to make e very'^ ody ^Teef that 
any of these greenbacks whieUthey niight^^^bnt for 
redemption would be paid img'ji[ill^cofding to prom¬ 
ise. In 1875 and 1882 Congress authorized the Treas¬ 
ury to keep $100,000,000 of gold constantly on hand, 
and that is the ^ gold reserve ’ that you have heard so 
much about. To maintain this reserve has, at times, 
caused the Government much concern.” 

Then here is another of the notes,” said Dan, 
drawing out a second sheet of paper. It looks a good 
deal like what you say is a ^ legal-tender note,’ or 
^ greenback,’ but it doesn’t have the same wording.” 
It had these words on the front: 


34 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


National Currency. 

This note is secured by the bonds of 

dlljc IXnitcb States, 

with the U. S. Treasurer at Washington. 
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF WHEELING., 
WEST VIRGINIA, 

Will pay Five Hundred Dollars to Bearer 
on demand. 


On tlie reverse side of this were the following 
words: 


This note is receivable at par in all parts of the 
United States in payment of all taxes and excises 
and all other dues of the United States except duties 
on Unports ; and also for all salaries and other de¬ 
mands owing by the United States to individuals, 
corporations, and associations within the United 
States, except interest on the public debt. Counter¬ 
feiting or changing this note, or passing any certifi¬ 
cate or alteration of it, or having in possession any 
false or counterfeit plate or impression of it, or any 
paper made in imitation of the paper on which this 
is printed, is felony, and is punishable by $1,000 fine, 
or fifteen years’ imprisonment at hard labor, or both. 


That/’ said Mr. Chilton, without a moment’s 
hesitation, ^Ms a national bank note. They came next 
after the legal-tender notes, or greenbacks, in the date 
of their issue and in popularity. Congress passed an 
act in 1863 authorizing the organization of national 
banks, whose capital stock was to be fully paid up, 
and which might deposit United States bonds with 
the Treasury and receive ninety per cent of the face 
value of these bonds in notes bearing the wording 
you have just read. These notes the Grovernment 





UXCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


35 


makes good because it liolds tlie bonds belonging to 
the banks, and if the banks fail to redeem the notes it 
can sell the bonds and redeem them with the money. 
So these national bank notes have been a favorite money 
with the people, because they know that the Govern¬ 
ment will always make them good in case the bank 
fails to do so. There are about 4,000 of these banks, 
and they have over $230,000,000 of their notes out¬ 
standing.’’ 

Here is another of the bills,” said Dan, which 
seems to be very different from the two which you 
have already explained.” 


®l)is Certifies tl)at 

there has been deposited in the Treasury of the 
United States 

Five Hundred Dollars^ 

Gold Coin^ 

repayable to Bearer on demand. 
Washington, D. C. 


On the back of the slip were simply these words: 


United States Gold Certificate. 
$500. 




36 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


Tliat is a gold certificate/’ said Mr. Cliilton. 

People found out while gold was scarce during war 
times, and paper was altogether in use, that paper was 
a much more satisfactory currency than gold and sil¬ 
ver, provided it had the gold and silver really behind 
it. This was especially true of that issued by the 
Government, which gives new bills in exchange for 
the old ones whenever they become soiled. So in 
1863 and 1882 acts were passed authorizing the Treas¬ 
ury to receive gold coin on deposit and issue certifi¬ 
cates stating that such deposits had been made, and 
they were issued in the form which you have just 
quoted.” 

And I suppose this one is about the same thing, 
only that it applies to silver dollars deposited in the 
Treasury, does it? ” said Dan, as he drew out another 
slip of paper with this wording on it: 


iJljis (Certifies tl)at 

there has been deposited in the Treasury of the 
United States 

Five Hundred Silver Dollars^ 
payable to Bearer on demand, 
Washington, D. C. 


Having read the wording copied from the face 
of the bill he waited for Mr. Chilton to respond, but 
looking up saw that he was in a brown study about 
something. Then he turned the slip of paper over, and 
as he did so Mr. Chilton resumed his attentive attitude. 



UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


37 


On tlie other side were the following words: 


United States Silver Certificate. 
Five Hundred Dollars. 


This certificate is receivable for taxes and all 
public dues, and when so received may be re¬ 
issued. 


Yes/’ said Mr. Chilton, you are right in sup¬ 
posing that this is a silver certificate. The same causes 
which led people to prefer paper to gold operated 
more strongly with reference to silver, because it is 
too bulky to carry about. So acts were passed in 1878, 
1888, and 1889 authorizing the Treasury to receive sil¬ 
ver dollars and issue certificates worded like this one. 
It is easy to see that people prefer the paper certifi¬ 
cates to the real silver, as there are only about 50,000,- 
000 silver dollars kept in actual circulation, while the 
other 400,000,000 are deposited in the Treasury 
and the certificates taken out against them for use 
in actual business instead of the silver dollars them¬ 
selves.” 

But here is one more bill,” said Dan, which 
I don’t understand at all; it doesn’t seem to be a 
greenback, or national bank note, or gold certificate, 
or silver certificate. It is quite different in its word¬ 
ing from the others and appears to be of another 
class.” 



38 UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 

And he read the words as follows: 

TREASUliY XOTE. Act July 11, 1890. 

®l)c tlnitcb Statc0 of America 

Will pay to Bearer 

Five Hundred Dollars. 

IN COIN. Washington, D. C. 


On the reverse side were the following words: 


This note is a legal tender at its face value 
for payment of all debts, public and private, ex¬ 
cept when otherwise expressly stipulcded in the 
contract. 


That,” said Mr. Chilton, is what is known as 
a Treasury note, and yon can get gold or silver for it. 
Congress in 1890 passed an act authorizing the Gov¬ 
ernment to buy silver bullion—that is, silver in bulk 
ready for coinage, but not coined—and to issue notes 
with this wording upon them in payment for the silver 
so purcliased. It was the intention to coin the silver 
into dollars when convenient, and hold those dollars 
with which to redeem the notes when they might be 
needed. But silver became less valuable after the 
purchases were made, and some of the people who held 





UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


39 


the certificates became uneasy lest they should have 
to take silver dollars for them, and that these dollars 
would not be as good as gold dollars. So in order 
to show to the world that the United States would 
not dishonor any paper bearing its name and promises, 
the Treasury redeemed them in gold when preferred; 
but the act was repealed in 1893, and the further pur¬ 
chase of silver stopped.’’ 

Is that all of the classes of money we have?” 
asked Dan. 

Yes, except, of course, gold and silver. There 
is about $670,000,000 in gold somewhere in the coun¬ 
try, but most of it is in the banks and Treasury. Then, 
as I said, there are about 50,000,000 or 60,000,000 
silver dollars in circulation, and, besides that, about 
$75,000,000 in fractional currency—half dollars, 
quarters, and dimes. In addition to this, there are the 
nickels and one-cent pieces, which aggregate quite a 
large sum. Of course there are the silver dollars 
and silver bullion in the Treasury vaults, which are 
represented by the silver certificates and Treasury 
notes, but they do not circulate as money while the 
notes which represent them remain in circulation.” 

In a minute Dan was groping about under the 
table for a slip of paper. 

Please let me have those figures. If I keep on 
getting information. I’ll have enough to make me a 
very wise man if I can only remember it.” 

Then he wrote down the figures, item by item, 
as follows: 

Gold coin in United States, $670,000,000. 

Silver dollars in circulation, 50,000,000. 


40 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


Silver fractional currency, $75,000,000. 

Silver dollars in Treasury, 400,000,000. 

Legal-tender notes (greenbacks), $346,000,000. 

^National bank notes, $230,000,000. 

Gold certificates, $38,000,000. 

Silver certificates, $400,000,000. 

Treasury notes (coin certificates), $114,000,000. 

Just then tlie wliistle began to scream, Mr. Pat¬ 
terson seized a couple of mail sacks and pulled them to 
the door, another man in uniform rushed into the car 
and began making room for more mail sacks to come 
on board, the bell on the engine clanged, and soon the 
train came to a halt. There was a rattling of trucks 
outside, the door was thrown open, and in a twinkling 
the mail bags were being tumbled out and others being- 
lifted in to take their place. 

^Mlow are you. Postmaster Dennison?’’ shouted 
Mr. Patterson as a man in a brown suit, with trousers 
stuck in the top of his boots, came into view, tugging 
a big mail sack up to the side of the car. 

All right,” said the individual addressed. Got 
a pretty heavy mail to-night, and had to have Sally 
help me with it^ for I’ve got the rheumatiz power¬ 
ful bad just now.—Give me a lift with this sack, 
Sally.” 

This appeal brought into view a female figure 
which had been lingering in the shadows on the other 
side of the platform. As she stepped shyly forward 
to assist her father, the light from the reflector inside 
the car fell on the face which fairly made Dan’s heart 
stand still for a moment. Large blue eyes, set off 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


41 


with heavy eyelashes, a delicate face rather pale, hut 
just a tinge of color, which perceptibly heightened as 
she became conscious that she was the center of atten¬ 
tion, arching eyebrows, a slender figure dressed in 
dark-blue, loose sleeves, Avhich showed a dimpled arm 
as she seized a heavy mail sack and tried to help her 
father hoist it aboard the car. 

For a moment the daughter and father tugged at 
the mail sack, which their combined strength could 
not lift to the level of the mail car, nearly as high as 
the shoulders of the pretty girl. 

Canh I get out and help them. Uncle Sam?^’ 
said Dan, after a moment of hesitation. 

Uo objection, Dan,’’ replied Mr. Patterson, who 
was busy with the work inside the car. Be quick 
about it, for we have but a two-minute stop here.” 

In a moment Dan was beside the panting, slender 
girl, who, all unconscious of his approach, was tugging 
heroically at the sack. Her hat had fallen off, dis¬ 
playing a wealth of golden hair tied with a bit of blue 
ribbon, and Dan noticed that her pretty hands were 
quite in keeping with the slender figure and dainty 
feet incased in a heavy shoe. 

Let me take your place, miss,” he said, as he 
stepped to her side. 

Oh, thank you, sir,” said she, as the color 
mounted to her temples; “ it is rather heavy for me.” 

Yes, Sally ain’t very strong,” said Postmaster 
Dennison, as Dan quickly swung the sack aboard the 
car, but she is a powerful good one in sickness. I 
don’t know what I’d do without her when the rheu- 
matiz gets hold of me as it has to-night.” 


42 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


Don’t talk nonsense, father,” said Sally, still 
blushing.—I’m sure we are very much obliged to 
you, sir,” she said to Dan, who was casting admiring 
glances in her direction. 

I am sure you are welcome, miss,” he answered. 

It wasn’t much of a lift for me.” 

Jump aboard, Dan! ” shouted his uncle. The 
train will leave you in a minute.” 

Dan turned hastily toward the steps of the mail 
car. As he did so he caught sight of a figure stand¬ 
ing in the shadows, and evidently watching him and 
the pretty girl with whom he had been talking. Just 
then the light from inside one of the moving cars fell 
for a moment upon the figure and face, causing Dan 
to start with astonishment. Then the light passed 
on, and Dan saw the figure clamber on board the mov¬ 
ing train. 

What’s the matter, Dan ? ” said his uncle as he 
entered the car a moment later. Does the sight of 
the pretty girl give you such a troubled look as that ? ” 

Uncle,” he said, I just saw Mr. Addison stand¬ 
ing in the shadow watching me, and he got on board 
this very train.” 




CHAPTER IV. 


The Gordon family slept late on the morning 
after Dan’s departure. The excitement of the event¬ 
ful night on which the bills were made uncurrent had 
caused them to lose a good deal of sleep, and, as Mr. 
Gordon did not get home until far into the night, the 
breakfast next morning was unusually late and hur¬ 
ried. Robert was anxiously awaiting the after-break¬ 
fast developments, for he rather wanted to try his 
hand at the plow. But Mr. Gordon concluded that, 
as the horses had carried him to and from the station 
over the muddy roads the night before, they ought to 
rest at least a part of the day, and so announced to 
the boys that they could have a holiday. “ I’ll hitch 
the colts to the plow this morning,” said he, and let 
the horses rest until this afternoon. You boys can 
take your turn at the plow later, for the work at the 
mine will not begin for a day or two.” 

The conversation was interrupted by a loud bark¬ 
ing of the dog, and, looking from the window, the 
boys saw two men coming up the walk between the 
rows of hollyhocks and bachelor’s buttons, which 
stretched in a double line from the road to the door. 
One of them was a inan of about fifty years of age, 
with hair well streaked with gray, closely cut side 
43 



4 : 4 : 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


whiskers, brown eyes peering out of gold-rimmed 
glasses, and the air of a man accustomed to books and 
blackboards rather than to fields and fences. The 
other was much younger, with slender figure, rather 
delicate face, black hair and eyes, and boyish look. 
Both were dressed in stout but well-fitting outing 
suits, which, with their manner and looks, convinced 
the observers that they were city men.’’ 

I beg pardon,” said the elder man, touching his 
hat, we are looking for a cave which we understand 
opens in this valley somewhere above here. Have you 
anybody about the place here who knows just where 
and how to find this cave, and who can pilot us to it? ” 

Hobody but my two boys,” said Mrs. Gordon. 
If they will do, they will take you to it,-for they are 
very well acquainted with its location.” 

You see,” explained the elder of the gentlemen, 
we are spending our vacation in the mountains hunt¬ 
ing and fishing, and studying geology a bit as we go 
along. We heard of this cave, and thought we would 
like to take a look at it. Perhaps we may explore it 
for some distance.” 

Please, mother,” said Robert, excitedly tugging 
at her sleeve, can’t we go in, too, if the gentlemen 
don’t mind? You know we have always wanted to see 
the inside of the cave, but have never had torches that 
would last long enough.” 

You need have no fear, I think, madam,” said 
the gentleman, noting the mother’s hesitation. I 
am quite accustomed to explorations of this character. 
You see I am a teacher of geology in a college in 
Massachusetts, and often take my pupils on trips of 


UNCLE SAM'S SECRETS. 


45 


tins sort. This young man who accompanies me is one 
of my pupils.” 

So Mrs. Gordon reluctantly gave her consent, see¬ 
ing how anxious the boys were, and they were soon 
off, but not until the boys had been provided with a 
substantial lunch and the gentleman and his com¬ 
panion had regaled themselves with the pitcher of rich 
milk from the spring house, for which they insisted 
on paying what Mrs. Gordon felt was a fabulous price. 

This looks like the country in which caves would 
be readily formed,” said the elder of the gentlemen 
as the party trudged up the valley and the mountain 
sides began to grow nearer. 

M^hy do you say that, professor? ” inquired the 
young man, who had been designated as Mr. Canby 
in the conversation which had been general after the 
party h^d gotten under way. 

“ Because,” answered the professor, I see that 
the country is underlaid with a kind of rock in which 
caverns are most easily formed.” 

What kind is that?” . 

The calcareous rocks, or what is ordinarily 
termed limestone. Rocks composed of carbonate of 
lime are easily dissolved by water containing carbonic- 
acid gas. Limestone is composed largely of carbonate 
of lime, and when water containing quantities of car¬ 
bonic acid comes in contact with it the rock is slowly 
dissolved. As the water finds some fissure or vein in 
the rock it works its way downward, dissolving the 
rock slowly as it goes.” 

But how does the water get the carbonic-acid 
gas?” inquired Mr. Canby. 


46 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


Easily/’ replied the professor. Water readily 
absorbs carbonic-acid gas, even a quantity of it equal 
to its own volume, if it can get it. There is constantly 
more or less carbonic-acid gas in the atmosphere, due 
to combustion, fermentation, and respiration; besides 
this, there is more of it in the decaying vegetation 
on the surface of the earth. The rain water as it falls, 
through the air absorbs more or less of the carbonic- 
acid gas, and gets still more as it soaks through the 
decaying vegetation and soil. The result is that when 
it comes in contact with the limestone it slowly but 
surely dissolves it, and, by finding its way down the 
veins and between the ledges of rocks, it soon begins 
to make hollows in the rock itself beneath the sur¬ 
face.” 

How curious! ” said Robert, who had been listen¬ 
ing respectfully. But how do you account for caves 
that are miles long and with walls hundreds of feet 
high?” 

The water,” answered the professor, pleased to 
see that Robert took an interest in the subject, must 
find a place to flow after it enters the rock. It works 
its way along the seams between the layers of rock, 
/lissolving more or less of the stone and small open¬ 
ings. By and by pieces of the rock fall in from above 
and are slowly dissolved, while the water continues to 
deepen its channel by fresh supplies from above 
charged with carbonic acid, supplied constantly by the 
air and decaying vegetation. So, year after year, cen¬ 
tury after century, it goes on, widening and deepening 
the underground place until it becomes a water course 
perhaps many miles long, and finally connects with 


UXCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


47 


some river. Meantime tlie cave has been formed by 
the dissolving of the limestone, the friction of pebbles 
and sand hurried along by the stream, and the fall¬ 
ing of rocks from the upper part of the cavern.’’ 

How does this carbonic-acid gas look? ” inquired 
Robert. 

You have doubtless seen it,” said the professor. 
^Ht is carbonic-acid gas which is used to make the 
water in the soda fountains sparkle and effervesce. 
The water in these fountains has so much of this car¬ 
bonic acid that it often dissolves the surface of the 
marble upon which it drips constantly, for marble is 
one form of limestone. By the way, the term ^ soda 
fountain ’ and ‘ soda water ’ are entirely improper, 
as neither the fountains nor the water contain any 
soda, but merely the carbonic-acid gas which is forced 
into the water under pressure.” 

What becomes, professor, of the large quantities 
of rock which are dissolved as the caverns are washed 
out and formed by this slow process of which you have 
told us? ” said Mr. Canby. It is a favorite say¬ 
ing that nothing is destroyed, but that all things 
which pass out of sight reappear in some other 
form.” 

Simple enough,” said the professor. A minute 
portion of the limestone which was in this mountain 
years ago may have formed a part of the shell of that 
lobster which you have in that can for your lunch. 
The limestone which is dissolved by the carbonic-acid 
gas in the water becomes carbonate of lime, and is 
retained in a dissolved form. This is partially de¬ 
posited along the sides of the stream, but is largely 


48 


UNCLE ** SAM'S SECRETS. 


carried into the ocean, and is gradually appropriated 
by the millions of shellfish of the ocean, which it fur¬ 
nishes with the material for their shells. As they die 
and leave their shells in heaps in the bottom of the 
ocean, these shells and other substances gradually sink 
together, forming again a limestone rock, which may, 
a few thousand years later, be brought to the surface 
by some grand upheaval, become part of a mountain 
like this one, and be again subjected to the dissolving 
process similar to that which produced this cave thou¬ 
sands of years ago.’^ 

The walk of several miles seemed only a short one 
to all members of the party. To the professor it was 
a pleasure to be face to face with Xature, and to read 
upon every mountain side and in every (Crumbling 
rock the history of thousands of years. The fragment 
of stone which the ordinary individual passed by with¬ 
out a moment’s notice spoke volume^ of interesting 
facts and fancies to him. Often he stopped for a mo¬ 
ment, and with a blow of his geologist’s hammer 
opened another page in the volume which was to him 
of most intense interest. Then, with a few well-di¬ 
rected remarks, he would bring to the attention of 
Mr. Canby the interesting geological facts which were 
taught by this practical field lesson. To Robert and 
his brother these things were interesting, even though 
they could not understand all of them, and all were 
surprised when a turn in the path they were following 
brought them to the mouth of the cave. 

Row,” said the professor, looking at his watch, 
it is nearly noon, and I think we had better take our 
lunch before we begin our explorations. That will 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


49 


ligliten our luggage and, at the same time, give us 
additional strength/^ 

A few minutes later they were seated in the shade 
of a big tree at the mouth of the cave, and the baskets 
were being unpacked. 

‘^We shall not have to be particularly careful 
about the debris we leave at the mouth of the cave,” 
said the professor, any more than our ancestors the 
Troglodytes were.” 

‘‘ The troglo-whats ? ” said Robert, letting for a 
moment his curiosity get the better of his desire to be 
absolutely respectful in his questions. 

“ The Troglodytes,” said the professor with a 
smile, ^As a name given by scientists to people who 
lived in caves.” 

“ Did people ever live in caves? ” said Robert, a 
little incredulously. 

‘‘ Certainly,” answered the professor. The study 
of caves has fully established the fact that many of 
them were occupied by man in the early ages, and 
before he progressed very far in the arts and ways of 
civilization.” 

How do people study caves? ” ventured Jimmy. 

Oh, by digging in the bottom of them and ex¬ 
amining the accumulation of bones of men and animals 
that are found there, and the implements of chase or 
of domestic life that are found in connection with 
them. The study of these things has given us a 
great deal of information about prehistoric men and 
times.” 

What are the things which have been learned 
by the study of caves? ’’ said Mr. Canby. 


50 


UNCLE SLUM’S SECPvETS. 


Many/’ said tlie professor. The class of men 
who used to live in the regions now populated by the 
highest grade of civilization and the class of animals, 
and from these can be inferred the climate which then 
existed. For instance, a study of the bones of men and 
women which are found in the caves of France, Ger¬ 
many, and other parts of Europe shows that the peo¬ 
ple who lived there in prehistoric days were similar in 
appearance to the Eskimos, as we know them to-day. 
^ot only so, but the bones and horns of reindeer, and 
other animals which now live in the cold climates only, 
are found in conjunction with the bones of these races 
of men so much resembling those now living in cold 
climates. The fact that these people allowed the bones 
and offal to accumulate about the mouths of the cav¬ 
erns which they inhabited shows that the climate must 
have been a cold one.” 

“ Then the European countries must have had a 
much colder climate than now, you infer, do you? ” 
said Mr. Canby. 

At that time, yes. But not always, for in some 
of the caves are found the bones of a class of animals 
which only frequent tropical or semitropical climates, 
such as the rhinoceros.” 

Then the study of caves,” said Mr. Canby, re¬ 
sults, I suppose, in telling the sort of animals and the 
kind of men which lived in those countries, and also 
something about the climate they once had.” 

Yes, and these things tell us much more than 
those simple facts. They tell us important geo¬ 
graphical and geological history which we could 
scarcely learn in any other way. For instance, a study 


UX(7.E SAFE’S wSECRETS. 


51 


of the caves of England and France and Germany 
shows that the class of animals left in the caves of 
England at a certain geological age were similar to 
those found in the caves of the country now known as 
the Continent of Europe. This proves what geogra¬ 
phers and geologists have long suspected, that England 
was once a part of the continent of Europe.’’ 

“ Then you suppose that England, Ireland, and 
Scotland Avere once a part of the mainland? ” 

Yes. But that is not the only geological or 
geographical fact developed by the study of caves. It 
is found by the study of the caves of Spain, Italy, 
and Sicily, and those of northern Africa, that pre¬ 
cisely the same kind of animals inhabited those sec¬ 
tions. These facts confirm the belief that northern 
Africa and southern Europe were at one time con¬ 
nected by a strip of land extending southward from 
Sicily across what is now the Mediterranean Sea. 
That land Avas doubtless submerged by some great 
movement of the crust of the earth. It is quite prob¬ 
able that that movement Avhich submerged that strip 
of land and produced the Mediterranean Sea also ele¬ 
vated from the bottom of a sea that portion of north¬ 
ern Africa which is noAV knoAvn as the Desert of 
Sahara.” 

By this time they had finished their luncheon and, 
liaAung lighted their lanterns, Avere entering the cave. 
Soon Robert noticed long, graceful pendants hanging 
from the ceiling. 

Why,” said he, it looks as though they Avere 
icicles hanging from the roof.” 

Those,” said the professor, are stalactites.” 


52 


U^X’LE SAM’S SECRETS. 


Wliat makes them? ’’ said Kobert. They look 
as though they were frozen water. 

So they do/^ said the professor. “ Well, they 
are formed by water very much as the icicle is formed, 
except very much more slowly. The water which 
soaks down through the ground and among the lime¬ 
stone is, by the time it reaches the top of the cave, 
thoroughly charged with the dissolved limestone, 
which has become bicarbonate of lime. AVhen this 
comes in contact with the air, the bicarbonate of lime 
begins to resume its natural properties, and, as the 
drop of water gathers on the surface of the rock which 
forms the roof of the cave, a little ring of white bi¬ 
carbonate of lime attaches itself to the rock. The 
next drop leaves a little more, and the next, and the 
next, so on, day after day, and year after year. The 
result is that a slender tube of this substance is formed. 
Then the water trickles down over this and adds more 
of the bicarbonate of lime, and the pendant, which 
looks like an icicle, gradually grows downward, and 
also increases somewhat in size. It takes years, some¬ 
times centuries, for them to extend down to the floor 
or to reach the stalagmites, which grow up to meet 
them.’^ 

What are stalagmites, which you say grow up to 
meet the stalactites? ” 

The water which drops down from the stalac¬ 
tites does not leave all its carbonate of lime, or dis¬ 
solved limestone, on the stalactites. It still contains 
some of it when it falls on the floor of the cave. So 
it gradually deposits little by little of this carbonate 
of lime on the floor of the cave, and very gradually it 



“It takes years, sometimes centuries, for them to extend 
down to the floor or to reach tlie stalagmites which grow up 
to meet them.” 




UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


53 


grows up, first in the form of little rounded knobs, 
then higher and higher, until after centuries it meets 
the stalactite, which has been more rapidly growing 
downward from the roof.” 

Just then a strange-looking little animal darted 
from a black corner and scrambled hurriedly across 
the cave in front of them. 

A cave mouse, as I live! ” shouted the professor, 
almost dropping his lantern in the excitement of the 
moment. Catch him, boys! A five-dollar-gold piece 
to the boy who catches him! ” 

It was an exciting chase, and a ludicrous sight to 
Mr. Canby, who scarcely knew whether to be more 
amused with the scrambles and tumbles of the boys 
br the excitement and delight of the professor when 
the little animal was captured. It proved to be partly 
white and partly gray, with very long whiskers, which 
helped it to feel its way in the cave, ridiculously long 
ears, and little black eyes, which stood out like beads, 
and which was so blinded by the strong light of the 
lanterns as to make its capture possible. 

Passing on, they came to a chamber much more 
striking than any they had seen. Indeed, to all but 
the professor it seemed like a fairy land. The ceiling, 
fretted with snow-white pendants, glistened as the 
rays of the light fell upon it; gleaming pillars and 
pilasters supported arches of alabaster, from which 
hung white curtains of stone so like a delicate drapery 
that Mr. Canby expected to see it move as he touched 
it. Instead of this, however, a musical sound rang 
out, reverberating through the cavern. 

^^Ah!” said the professor, ^Ahat is interesting. 


54 


UNCLE SAM'S SECRETS. 


The acoustic properties here are excellent. Let us see 
if we can’t have some music; ” and with his hand he 
struck one after another of the line of stalactites which 
hung from the roof nearly to the ground, but of 
varying length and thickness. To the surprise of the 
younger members of the party, they varied greatly 



The ceiling, fretted with snow-white pendants, glistened as the rays of 
light fell upon it. 


in tone, and, after a few minutes’ experiments, the 
professor was able to give his little audience an inter¬ 
esting musical recital, and the notes of Yankee Doodle, 
Annie Laurie, and the Star-spangled Banner rang 
through the cave, produced upon Nature’s organ, 







UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 55 

whose gleaming pipes of alabaster had been centuries 
in construction. 

They moved on through the cavern, looking with 
astonishment and delight at the various and beautiful 
formations. At one point they observed a mass of 
dark brown in the midst of a gleaming white ceiling, 
which was low enough to reach with the hand. The 
professor, after looking a moment, reached up and 
drew his hand across the brown mass, which seemed 
soft and yielding. A streak of bright red followed his 
hand, as though he had left a line of blood from his 
fingers. In the midst of the line of red were many 
little gleaming points of white. As he did this there 
arose a sound, as of a thousand faint, squeaking voices 
in protest, followed by a noise like the fluttering of 
wings, and the brown mass began to fly in fragments, 
as though an explosion in the center had blown it 
out of existence. 

Bats,’^ explained the professor. They are the 
most numerous inhabitants of the caves of this coun¬ 
try. They hang by their feet as they sleep head down¬ 
ward, and that line of red which followed my hand 
was the mouths of the little fellows, which were 
opened in protest against being disturbed in the slum¬ 
bers, which have perhaps never before been disturbed 
here, at least by the hand of man. 

It seems to me,’^ said the professor, as they bade 
adieu to the bats, that I hear the sound of running 
water; perhaps we shall encounter an underground 
river. Such things are not uncommon in caves.’^ 

He was right. A few minutes’ walk brought the 
members of the party to a rapidly flowing stream. 


56 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


wliicli issued from an opening in tlie side of the cavern, 
flowed along the passageway for some distance, grad¬ 
ually widening until it covered the whole floor, and 
then with an abrupt ^turn disappeared through the 
side of the cavern. 

Dear me,’’ said Mr. Canby, we shall not be 
able to go farther.” 

I believe Ave can cross on those rocks along¬ 
side of that arch,” said Kobert. 

Let’s try it,” said Mr. Canby. It’s a pity to 
miss seeing the best part of the cave if we can get 
at it.” 

AYait a bit,” said the professor. I must see 
about the strength of the stones which project over 
the water. I can not consent to your taking any 
risks, for I consider myself responsible for your safety. 
The water in this river is evidently'deep, and, should 
anybody fall into it, he would be swept underground 
in an instant and lost.” 

After a critical examination, the professor con¬ 
cluded that the stones over Avhich they proposed to 
cross Avere safe. He Avould not let them be tested, 
hoAvever, by other than himself. I am the heaviest,” 
said he, and I Avill test them. If they hold me, 
there Avill be no danger to you.” 

Tying the end of a rope about his waist, he fas¬ 
tened the other end to a sturdy stalagmite beside the 
river. 

^Mf I fall in,” said he, you must all tug at the 
rope, and probably you can pull me out.” 

Leaving the lantern in the hands of Mr. Canby, 
so that it could not be lost if he should fall, he care- 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 57 

fully picked his way across, testing each rock carefully 
and fully, and landing safely on the other side. 

In a few minutes they were all standing on the op¬ 
posite bank of the roaring stream, and were about to en¬ 
joy a stroll through the beautiful rotunda when a huge 
bat, of unusual dimensions, flapped past their heads 
and, alighting on the end of a long stalactite, hung 
head downward from its very point. What boy could 
resist such a temptation? Picking up a good-sized 
fragment of rock, Jimmy, before anybody could di¬ 
vine his object, threw it swiftly at the tempting target. 
It hit the bat fairly, hut, passing on, struck the point 
of another stalactite. Instantly there was a sharp, 
snapping sound, and the long, slender shaft, swaying 
for a moment, fell. As it passed downward it struck 
a point of projecting rock and loosened it. There 
was a dull, rumbling sound as a mass of rock, weighing 
several tons, gave Avay. Then followed a tremendous 
crash, which reverberated through the cavern as if 
the entire roof Avas falling in. 

When the dust had settled sufflciently to permit 
an examination, they saAV that every one of the rocks 
on Avhich they had crossed had disappeared, and only 
a smooth Avail remained. 


G 


CHAPTEE V. 


Oun explorers in the cave were in a state of con¬ 
sternation when they saw that the bridge of rocks on 
which they had picked their way over the subterranean 
river had disappeared. How were they to get back? 
A roaring torrent of unknown depth was between 
them and their homes. It was so wide, so swift, so 
dark and dangerous that to attempt to cross it would 
be attended with the greatest danger. The ledge of 
rocks which had served as a bridge had absolutely dis¬ 
appeared, and its place was only a smooth, perpen¬ 
dicular wall, beneath which rushed the dark, roar¬ 
ing waters of the river. They looked each other si¬ 
lently in the face, or rather each of the younger mem¬ 
bers of the party looked at the professor, for up to 
that time they had found him always confident and 
calm. But there was now a troubled look on his 
face, which added to their alarm. Mr. Canby was 
pale, Eobert’s knees trembled perceptibly, and as for 
Jimmy, who recognized the fact that his action had 
put the entire party in the greatest danger, he was 
unable to control his feelings. He burst into tears, 
and threw himself weeping at the feet of the pro¬ 
fessor. 

Don’t cry, my boy,” said the professor, with a 
53 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


59 


show of cheerfulness. You had no reason to sup¬ 
pose that that unlucky throw of yours would bring 
such a result. Almost any boy would have wanted 
to throw a stone at such a mark as that.” 

But how are we to get out of this place? ” said 
Robert anxiously. 

I don’t know,” said the professor, looking grave; 

I don’t know. But I believe God will take care of 
us in some way. I feel a confidence that we shall not be 
lost, though I do not quite see how we are to get 
across that raging stream again.” 

The rope! the rope! ” said Mr. Canby. “ Can’t 
we get it across in some way, and so help ourselves 
back?” 

The professor shook his head sadly. Yo, it is 
not long enough, not nearly long enough,” said he. 

The point at which I crossed is much the narrowest, 
and to attempt to cross there now would be madness; 
the swift current would pull us under in an instant.” 

Well, I can swim,” said Robert. Let me 
swim across and go for help.” 

You could never cross that torrent,” said the 
professor. You would be in danger of being swept 
through the arch and under the ground, and be 
lost.” 

AYhere does the water go? ” said Mr. Canby. 

Probably it flows into the Ohio or some of its 
tributaries at some unknown point; perhaps it comes 
into it under the surface of the water, or else at some 
obscure spot where its reappearance on the surface of 
the earth has not been observed.” 

Couldn’t we write a letter and send it down the 


60 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


stream in a bottle, so that tbe people wlio find it 
would come and help us out? ” said Jimmy. I have 
heard of such things happening.’’ 

The professor smiled. Even in the presence of the 
immediate danger the smile somehow reassured the 
others. 

We could send the bottle,” he said, but I 
don’t think we could depend on its bringing a party 
of rescuers. It might be days or weeks before the 
bottle would attract anybody’s attention, and mean¬ 
time we should starve, for we have not even a day’s 
provisions with us. Even our light Avould last but a 
few hours, and in darkness and hunger we should 
surely perish.” 

Then he turned and walked slowly toward the 
center of the rotundalike apartrnent in which they 
were imprisoned. Placing his lantern on the ground, 
he looked long and anxiously above him. Then he 
shaded his eyes with his hands to shut out the light 
of the lantern, and looked again. But this did not 
satisfy him. Stooping, he moved a slide in the lan¬ 
tern, and thus cut off every ray of light, leaving the 
party in total darkness. Again he looked upward, as 
did all the members of the party, who had noted his 
movements. Slowly a dull gray seem to appear above 
their heads. 

A light! ” exclaimed the professor. The light 
of day.” 

The light of day? ” said Mr. Canby incredu¬ 
lously. 

Yes,” said the professor, with a tone which 
showed that he had regained his courage. I hoped 


















UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


61 


that this dome might reach to the surface, or at least 
there might be an opening from it to the surface of 
the earth. Yes, as my eyes become accustomed to 
the darkness, I can plainly see daylight above us. This 
part of the cave,^’ said he, seating himself as calmly 
as though he were in his chair in the schoolroom, 
was probably formed in part by the washing and 
friction of gravel and sand poured over it by the water 
coming through that opening above us. We are now 
under a portion of the land which was covered by 
the great lake caused by the huge ice dam formed 
across the Ohio River during the Glacial period in 
Yorth America.’’ 

The Glacial period in North America?” said 
Mr. Canby, forgetting his anxiety as to how the party 
should escape from the cave. 

A lake? ” said Robert. You don’t mean to 
say there was ever a lake here? ” 

Yes, my boy, and a big one, too. You didn’t 
realize that while you were plodding about on your 
farm that you were on what was once the bottom of 
a lake, did you? ” 

Robert looked at the professor with a mingled 
expression of incredulity and alarm. He was not 
quite able to make out whether this comparatively 
new acquaintance was trying to make game of him 
or not. 

You see,” went on the professor calmly, ^Ht is 
now apparent to those who have studied the geology of 
the country that the section north of the Ohio River, 
and extending to the Atlantic coast, was once covered 
with ice. There are vast deposits of loose rocks and 


62 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


dirt, stretching in an irregular line from the coast of 
southern l^ew England, along eastern E^ew York, 
across Yew Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illi¬ 
nois, Missouri, Iowa, Yebraska, and South Dakota, 
which must have been deposited by an immense glacier, 
or system of glaciers, which brought them down from 
the north. Rocks found in their natural form are in 
regular layers, you know, and are the result of what we 
call stratification. That is, they are made of sand and 
other fine material, which has been deposited in regu¬ 
lar layers by moving water ages ago, and have grad¬ 
ually hardened and become rocks. Yow, when we 
find a mass of big bowlders, irregular chunks and 
blocks of stone, some of them big and some little, 
mixed with earth and pebbles and sand in a confused 
mass, like a hasty pudding filled with raisins, plums, 
and currants, all together making a hill or line of 
hills, we know that those hills are the work of gla¬ 
ciers or fields of ice, which had gathered these stones 
and rocks and sand and moved them along with it 
until the ice got to such a warm climate that it melted 
and left the stones and rocks and sand in a confused 
heap.’’ 

Won’t you tell us, professor,” said Robert, 
what a glacier is like? We have never seen one 
here.” 

Yo, you have not. There are few people who 
have seen them. They exist in the high mountains of 
our extreme Yorthwest, and especially in Alaska, but 
they are so inaccessible that few see them. They 
also exist in Switzerland and Greenland, where they 
are visited by tourists and scientists.” 


UXCLE SAM’S SECRETS 


G3 


How are tlie glaciers formed, and what are they 
like?^^ 

When snow falls in great quantities on high 
mountains, or in latitudes where the Aveather keeps 
so cold all the year that the snow can not turn into 
Avater and run off, it gradually turns into ice. When 
great masses of snoAv accumulate on the tops of moun¬ 
tains and melt a little, the drops of Avater make their 



Davidson glacier, near Chilkat, Alaska. 


AA’ay doAAui into the suoaa- and are frozen. Gradually, 
by the pressure of the immense masses of partially 
melting suoaa^, the AAdiole mass turns to ice.’’ 

“ Yes,” said Robert, it is easy to make snoAAYalls 
almost like a lump of solid ice by packing the Avet 
snoAV together.” 
































UXCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


G4 

“ You’ve hit it exactly, my hoy, for it is that same 
principle of the pressure of partially melted snow 
which causes it to turn to ice. As quantities of this 
ice accumulate on the tops and sides of the mountains, 
it gradually begins to move downward. As the masses 
from either side of the valley reach the bottom, they 
form a great stream of ice, moving so slowly that it 
requires close observation to become aware that it is 
in motion. By setting lines of stakes, however, across 
the ice, and others upon the solid ground, it soon be¬ 
comes apparent that the ice moves slowly down the 
valley.” 

“ How fast do these glaciers or rivers of ice 
move? ” 

There is a great difference in their rate of move¬ 
ment, just as there is a difference in the speed at which 
water flows under different circumstances. In some 
cases the glaciers move three or four feet in a day, 
while in other cases the movement is at the rate of 
from seventy-five to one hundred feet in a day.” 

Are these rivers of ice large? ” 

Some of them are very deep and very wide. 
There is a glacier now in Alaska which I have visited 
and studied. It moves slowly down to the sea between 
two lines of high mountains in such enormous quan¬ 
tities that the mass of ice is probably one thousand 
feet deep and two miles wide.” 

But what has the glacier to do with the accumu¬ 
lation of stones and sand and earth you told us of? ” 

I was about to come to that. As the mass of 
ice, with its enormous weight, moves over the ground, 
it of course scrapes up quantities of earth and stones 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


65 


in its path, while others from the mountain sides fall 
upon the surface of the ice stream and are carried 
along with it. Gradually as the streams of ice unite 
in the valleys the rocks and earth work toward the 
center, and form a line along the top and middle part 
of the river of ice. These lines of earth and stones 
are called ^ moraines.’ The rivers of ice move on 
downward until they reach a temperature at which 
the ice melts. When it does melt, of course, the 
earth and stones and sand which it carries are left 
at the spot where the ice has melted. As more 
ice comes along and melts at the same point, 
there are additional accumulations of the stones and 
sand and earth, until they become a great heap, a hill, 
or almost a mountain. These heaps of rocks and earth 
and sand are called ^ terminal moraines.’ ” 

How large are the rocks which the ice carries 
in this way? ” 

Sometimes as large as a bullet or an egg, some¬ 
times as large as a house or even larger, though that 
is unusual. A great many of them are, however, sev¬ 
eral feet in diameter, and frequently partially rounded 
by being rubbed against each other as they are moved 
along over miles and even hundreds of miles of dis¬ 
tances.” 

But how do you know that these large rocks 
have been brought there in that way ? Perhaps they 
are a part of the natural rocks of that section.” 

Ho; because they are not of the kind of stone 
that is natural to that locality. The stones scattered 
through the line of hills of which I speak have come 
many miles, in some cases hundreds of miles. We 


66 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


know that, because we know the location where each 
particular kind of rock is to be found.’’ 

Are there other proofs of former ice action in 
that part of the country not now covered with ice? ” 
said Mr. Canby, still forgetting the danger of their 
situation. 

Yes; we can see in the sections where glaciers 
now exist how they wear and scratch the rocks over 
which they flow. The masses of ice freeze about the 
loose stones and force them along over the rocks which 
do not move, thus scratching them deeply. In that 
way they leave tracks which are as plain to the geolo¬ 
gists as the footprints of the rabbit in the snow are 
to Jimmy there.” 

Jimmy laughed, for he had many times tracked 
rabbits through the snow, and the thought of tracking 
a glacier by the marks which it left in the rocks cen¬ 
turies ago seemed too funny. 

So we find,” continued the professor, marks of 
the ice among the rocks of this country, especially 
along the Great Lakes.” 

The professor took a small map from his pocket, 
and with his pencil drew a crooked line from about 
Yew York city, through northern Yew Jersey, across 
Pennsylvania, then swinging down through Ohio to 
Cincinnati and across the Ohio Piver at that point, then 
through southern Indiana and Illinois, across the Mis¬ 
sissippi at St. Louis, and following up the Missouri 
Kiver to Kansas City, thence nearly north to Bis- 
mark, S. Dak., thence nearly west to the Pacific coast. 

That,” said he, is about the line of the ^ ter¬ 
minal moraines,’ as we call them. The ice field doubt- 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


67 


less extended down to that line from the far north, 
and covering most of the country north of it.’’ 

How deep do you suppose the ice was? ” 

Probably hundreds and perhaps thousands of 
feet. Of course, we can only estimate that from the 
marks which it left on the sides of the mountains, and 
from what we know of the deposits of ice in Greenland 
and the polar regions now, where its thickness is hun¬ 
dreds and, in some cases, thousands of feet.” 

My,” said Jimmy with a shiver, it must have 
been cold here then! ” 

Yes,” said Robert; but, as there was nobody 
here to feel it, it didn’t make so much difference.” 

I’m not so sure of there being nobody here to 
feel it,” replied the professor. Within the past few 
years there have been discoveries of stone instruments 
under and in these heaps of rocks and earth. These 
must have been made by men, and their presence in 
these moraines and under them leads us to believe that 
they must have existed prior to or during the ice age. 
It is now believed by geologists that men similar to 
the Eskimos lived in a part of this country during 
the time that the ice was over the northern part of it, 
and perhaps before it ’ came moving down from the 
north and sweeping everything before it.” 

How long ago was it that the ice was here? ” 

^Ht is now estimated that it is about seven or eight 
thousand years since it began to melt away. We know 
that its southward movement filled up the outlet of the 
Great Lake region, and forced the water of Lake Erie 
to flow over the big ledge of rock which causes the 
^Niagara Ealls. By careful study the geologists have 


68 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


been able to tell about the rate at which it wears away 
that rock, and by this and other circumstances they 
now put the melting of the ice at about seven or eight 
thousand years ago. Formerly they believed it was 
much longer, but have changed their opinion now. 
So, I suppose, it is about that time since the icy waters 
of the lake, caused by the ice dam where Cincinnati 
now stands, were pouring through that opening above 
us.” 

As the professor said this he rose to make a more 
careful examination of the opening above him. As 
he did so, his foot encountered some yielding sub¬ 
stance, so different from that which it had met during 
his long walk through the cave that he stopped and 
turned the rays of his lantern to the spot just before 
him. 

A woman! ” he exclaimed in tones of genuine 
surprise—‘‘ a woman! ” 

A woman?” echoed the others in chorus. 

There was no mistake. It was a woman. She lay 
upon the bottom of the cave, her face almost as white 
as the alabaster floor, her long golden hair falling 
disheveled over a round and shapely shoulder and 
arm. She was young, apparently not more than seven¬ 
teen or eighteen, neatly dressed, and her pale face was 
one of rare beauty. 

The professor knelt down and placed his fingers 
upon her wrist, but there was no movement. Then 
he placed his ear to her chest, and listened long and 
attentively. 

She lives! ” he said. Some water, quick! ” 

Mr. Canby began to fumble in the lunch basket 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


69 


for a Clip which was there. But he was too slow. In 
an instant Jimmy had snatched his hat, and Avas aAvay 
in the direction of the river. A moment later he re¬ 
turned, his hat brimming full of clear, cold water. 
This the professor applied to her temples, bathing 
them gently, and sprinkling a few drops on her face, 
chafing her hands and arms meantime. Soon there 
Avas a sigh, as of returning life, and respiration began 
to be apparent. 

Brandy!” said the professor; some brandy, 
Canby, quick! ” 

Mr. Canby plunged again into the basket, and, 
bringing forth a tiny flask AAdiich the professor carried 
for emergencies, poured a feAV drops into a cup, and 
some Avater Avas added. Just then the object of 
their solicitude opened her eyes and attempted to sit 
up. 

Where am I?” she murmured. 

You are safe Avith friends, aaJio Avill take care of 
you,” said the professor. You liaA^e had a fall, but 
AAull be all right soon. Drink a little of this,” and 
he held the cup to her lips. 

She looked at him long and steadily, as though 
desiring to satisfy herself of the character of the man 
Avho offered her this unknoAvn draught. The study 
of his frank countenance seemed to satisfy her, and 
she accepted it. The effect Avas soon apparent, for in 
a few minutes she Avas able to rise. 

Yow,” said the professor gently, Avill you tell 
us hoAV you got here? ” 

She pressed her hands to her forehead, as though 
thinking intently. 


70 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


Yes/’ she said, after a pause, I remember now. 
I leaned against a desk, it moved aside, and I fell 
through an opening in the floor. I caught by a piece 
of timber, and screamed for help. Then I could no 
longer hold on, and I fell.” 

You caught by a piece of timber? ” said the pro¬ 
fessor. Then seizing his lantern, and throwing the 
light upward, he looked long and carefully. 

Yes, I can see it,” said he, and there is hope 
for us in that piece of timber.” 

How? ” said Mr. Canby. 

The professor did not reply, but, plunging into the 
basket, brought forth a ball of twine. This he un¬ 
wound and laid it in a coil on the floor. 

If we can get this cord over the jnece of timber,” 
said he, we can pull the rope up with it and hoist 
one person up by the rope. If he gets that near to the 
opening, I think he will be able to get out and bring 
us help.” 

As he said this he took a nail from his pocket, 
and, tying tlie end of the string firmly to it, dropped 
the nail into the barrel of his pistol. Then asking 
Kobert to hold the light so that it would enable him 
to see the piece of timber, he took a long and careful 
aim and fired. In a moment a cloud of white crystals 
came dancing down through the air.” 

^^Snow!” cried Jimmy. Snow in summer 
time.” 

Yo,” said the professor, they are crystals of 
sulphate of magnesia. The concussion from the pistol 
shot loosened them from the mass of white which 
covers the dome of this beautiful cavern. But what 






Robert, being the best climber, was first sent up the ladder. 



UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 71 

is very much better, the cord has fallen over the tim¬ 
ber, and we can pull the rope up and over it.’’ 

In a few moments the rope was in position. 

Now,” said the professor, who will volunteer to 
go up by this rope and try to make his way through 
that opening? ” 

If you please, sir,” said Jimmy, I should like 
to go up. It was my fault that we are not able to 
cross the river and get back home that way, and I 
would like to do that much toward providing a way of 
escape.” 

“ Very well, Jimmy,” said the professor; but I 
don’t think you need reproach yourself for causing 
us to thoroughly explore this part of the cavern, for 
if we had not done so we should not have found this 
young woman, and been able to restore her to life and 
safety.” 

In a few minutes Jimmy was hoisted to the piece 
of timber, and five minutes later he reappeared. I’ve 
found a rope ladder in a closet up here,” he shouted. 

I’ll let it down, and see if you can climb up it.” 

The ladder came slowly down, and it was quite 
apparent that it had been made for this particular 
purpose, so nicely did it fit as to length. Robert, being 
the best climber, was first sent up the ladder, and was 
soon followed by Mr. Canby. Then a rope was tied 
about the wSist of the young lady in order to assist 
her in making the difficult trip, and enabled her to 
slowly make her way up the ladder and to land safely 
at the top from which she had fallen. 

Now,” shouted the professor, want to look 
about here a few minutes before I come up.” 


72 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


Then being alone, the professor, whose suspicions 
had been aroused by the rope ladder and other circum¬ 
stances, began groping about, and soon found a mys¬ 
terious collection of articles under an arch, some 
presses and steel plates, and dies and melting ladles 
and crucibles. A few minutes later he was at the top 



The professor soon found a mysterious collection of articles under an 
arch. 


of the rope ladder, but looking more grave and dis¬ 
turbed than at any time during the period of anxiety 
through which he had passed. 

Did you see a ghost, professor? ” said Mr. Can- 
by. You positively look pale.’^ 

Yo,” said the professor, not a ghost, but- 





UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


73 

He was interrupted by a shout from Jimmy. 

Why/^ said he, “ here is Mr. Addison’s castle.” 

Yes,” said the young lady with some apparent 
confusion, this is his private office, Avhich, you see, 
is separate from the rest of the house. He never allows 
anybody in it under any circumstances. But I found 
the door open, and saw some paper money lying on 
the desk, with an ink bottle and brush beside it. I 
concluded that he must have left the door open by 
mistake when he galloped away in such a hurry yes¬ 
terday, and I came in to put the things away. Then 
the desk moved as I leaned against it, and I fell 
through the opening in the floor over which it had 
stood.” 


7 



CHAPTEE YI. 


Dan’s niglit in tlie postal car, after Mr. Cliilton’s 
explanation of tlie history of the bills which he was 
carrying to Washington for exchange, was spent in 
helping his nncle with the work. If Dan was inter¬ 
ested in what Mr. Chilton had told him about the 
currency of the country, Mr. Chilton was more inter¬ 
ested in Dan’s announcement that he saw Mr. Addi¬ 
son on hoard the train on which they were traveling. 
He asked some questions about Mr. Addison, and 
then, without saying anything more, disappeared. 
Dan was conversing quietly with his uncle next morn¬ 
ing as the train neared Philadelphia when he heard 
a familiar voice behind him say, Good morning, Mr. 
Patterson.” 

He turned and saw a young man with gray eyes, 
a heavy blond mustache, brown hair, and a freshly 
powdered chin, as though just from the hands of a 
barber. He was fashionably dressed, with high silk 
hat, dark, well-fitting clothes, and carrying a closely 
rolled umbrella. 

Don’t know me, do you?” said the gentleman 
with a laugh, as Dan stared at him. 

Ho,” said Dan, looking at his uncle, who was 
74 


UXCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 75 

standing by Vvdth a look of amusement on his counte¬ 
nance. 

Well, I must say that is the shortest memory I 
ever saw in an intelligent young man, considering the 
fact that I spent an hour last night trying to let you 
know what kind of money you have.’’ 

Mr. Chilton! ” gasped Dan in astonishment. 

Yes,” said the gentleman quietly. 

But you look so much taller, and so much—and 
so much—younger, if you will pardon me for saying 
it,” said Dan. 

Well,” said Mr. Chilton, now I want to make 
you look older for a few moments. Do you see this 
wig ? ” And he produced a gray wig with long, curl¬ 
ing hair, a pair of very dark and very large spectacles, 
and a heavy overcoat. 

I want you to put these on,” said Mr. Chilton, 
and pretend that you are very old and feeble and 
almost blind. Then take my arm and walk through 
the cars with me, and when you see your friend 
Mr. Addison press my arm so that I will know that 
you are near him. I want to get a good look at 
iiim.” 

But why do you want me to do all this? ” said 
Dan hesitatingly. Has Mr. Addison done anything 
that requires such mystery? ” 

Hot that I know of. But as he evidently doesn’t 
care to associate with us, we may humor this fancy 
of his.” 

As he said this he put the wig on Dan’s head, 
slipped the long overcoat on him, and buttoned it 
closely over the Sunday suit, turning the collar up 


76 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


around the neck. Then adjusting the large spectacles 
on Dan’s nose, he took a look at him. 

Would you know your own nephew if you were 
to meet him in this rig? ” said he to Mr. Patterson. 

I^^ever,” said that worthy with a smile. I’d 
sooner take him for my grandfather.” 

How lean heavily on my arm,” said Mr. Chilton 
to Dan. Eemember that I am your son, and I shall 
address you as ^ Father.’ ” 

They passed quickly through car after car until 
they reached the sleeper. As they entered this Dan 
saw Mr. Addison sitting alone. He stared at them 
with that stony expression which seems to characterize 
mankind when they get on a railroad train. Dan’s 
hands trembled, and he pressed Mr. Chilton’s arm vio¬ 
lently, for it seemed to him that Mr. Addison must 
be recognizing him. 

All right, father,” said Mr. Chilton in a loud 
tone. Here’s a comfortable seat,” and he led Dan 
with a great show of attention to a vacant seat near that 
occupied by Mr. Addison. How, father, try to 
make yourself comfortable. You just take this seat 
all to yourself, and I’ll ask this gentleman to let me 
sit with him for a little while; ” and, suiting the 
action to the word, he requested the permission of 
occupying the seat facing Mr. Addison, and was soon 
chatting with him in a most familiar way. 

A few minutes later the door at the other end of 
the car opened and a man in mechanic’s cap and over¬ 
alls entered. Dan thought there was a familiar look 
about him, but was too intent upon what Mr. Chil¬ 
ton Avas saying to pay any attention to the stranger. 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 77 

who walked up to him, touching his hat in a respectful 
way. 

I beg pardon,’’ said he, but I need some small 
bills for this fifty which has just been paid to me for 
my month’s wages. Could you give me the change? ” 

1^0,” mumbled Dan after a pause, almost afraid 
to speak lest his voice should betray him; I haven’t 
got the change.” Then, with a feeling of sympathy 
with this extremely respectful workman, he added. 
Suppose you ask this gentleman on the other side 
of the car.” 

Very sorry,” said Mr. Chilton, as he made a 
great show of fumbling about his pockets for bills, 
“ but really I haven’t that much in small bills. Per¬ 
haps this gentleman could change it for you,” looking 
at Mr. Addison. 

Ao,” said Mr. Addison curtly. 

I am very sorry,” said the man as he turned 
away. I’ve got to get off at the next station, and I 
know I shall never be able to get change for such a 
large bill there.” 

Oh, well,” said Mr. Addison, changing his man¬ 
ner in a moment as the man announced his intention 
of leaving the train at the next station, let me see 
if I can help you out; ” and in a moment the change 
was produced, the transfer made, and the workman, 
bowing his thanks, retreated toward the front end of 
the train. 

I am glad you were able to help the poor fellow 
out,” said Mr. Chilton. I would have willingly 
done it myself if I could.” 

A¥ell,” said Mr. Addison, I thought it would 


78 


UXCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


be a kindness to liim, as lie was going to get off the 
train where they don’t know what fifty-dollar bills 
are.” 

A few minutes later the young man and his fa¬ 
ther ” moved quietly toward the head of the train, 
and were passing through the baggage car where they 
caught sight of Mr. Addison, and heard the baggage 
master say sharply: ^Mf you please, sir, I will take 
charge of that valise that seems to be giving you so 
much trouble. Your check calls for the large new one 
just above it.” 

As they entered the mail car again Dan saw a 
workman’s cap-, a pair of overalls, and change for a 
fifty-dollar bill lying on his uncle’s table. 

AYhy, uncle,” said he, I never suspected that 

you were-M^hy, I don’t understand all this. 

What does it mean, uncle? ” 

Here we are, Dan, in Philadelphia,” said Mr. 
Patterson, evidently not desiring to talk of the mys¬ 
terious performance. How we will have an hour or 
two in which you can see some of the sights.” 

As he said this he had exchanged his working 
clothes for a neat business suit, and in a few minutes 
they were walking briskly through the city. Soon 
Mr. Patterson stopped before a two-story brick build¬ 
ing, fronting on Chestnut Street, between Third and 
Fourth Streets. 

This,” said he, is Carpenter’s Hall, the place 
where the first Continental Congress met, in 1774. 
You hear often of Independence Hall, where Congress 
subsequently met, and where the Declaration of In¬ 
dependence was framed, but this, in my opinion, was 




‘‘ This,” said lie, “is Carpenter’s Hall, where the first Continental 
Congress met.” 


























































. « 




<» *• 








««!>*• ' w f 

'M* 


^ - 


T Mtf 


ff 



i-r^. 


\ 




'I 


* < *- 






r/ 


» r. 


ti 



fi . - 


^^ ^i,' 

' k 4, • ■ ^ 

\ ‘ 

»' f- 

*■ 

V *• ’.. . ' -1 

: ^ V ' 



UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


19 


the birthplace of American liberty. This building is 
the very one in which they first met, and has been 
cared for with great attention.’’ 

Tell me more about it, uncle,” said Dan with 
interest, as they entered the quaint old building, whose 
walls were hung with mementoes of the great event 
which transpired there more than a century ago. 

Well,” said Mr. Patterson, of course you know 
the story of the Boston ^ tea party,’ how England at¬ 
tempted to force the colonists to pay a tax on the tea 
and other articles they brought in, yet refusing them 
any voice in the making of the laws which governed 
them, and how the tea was thrown overboard into the 
harbor of Boston. The British Parliament passed an 
act ordering the port of Boston closed on account of 
this action, and, as soon as this was known, the people 
of the various colonies felt that they should have an 
immediate conference looking to co-operation.” 

How soon after the passage of the act closing the 
port of Boston was the First Congress convened? ” 
asked Dan. 

The act was passed,” said Mr. Patterson, with a 
feeling of pleasure in Dan’s desire for information, 
March 31, 1774, the news received here in May, 
and within sixty days all of the colonies except Georgia 
had elected delegates, through public meetings and 
otherwise, to a conference or congress, which met in 
this very building.” 

And what did they do? ” 

A great deal. While they were only in session 
from September 5th to October 26th, they flung 
American defiance in the face of Great Britain, pass- 


80 


U^X’LE SAM'S SECRETS. 


ing resolutions that all the colonies ought to support 
Massachusetts in opposition to the closing of the port 
of Boston, adopting a Declaration of Colonial Bights, 
and urging the people to form a league pledging them¬ 
selves against importation or consumption of foreign 
goods. While they had no authority to declare war, 
raise taxes, or hind the colonies in any way^ their bold 
words and recommendations were the seed which pro¬ 
duced the Declaration of Independence.’^ 

How many Congresses met in this building?” 
said Dan. 

Only one. The Second Congress held its sessions 
in the Statehouse, located two squares farther up 
this street. It has since been called Independence 
Hall, as the Declaration of Independence was framed 
and adopted in it.” 

The two squares were quickly walked, and they 
stood before the long, low brick building which every 
Philadelphian points out with pride as the place where 
the Declaration of Independence was adopted, the ses¬ 
sions of Congress held, and the Constitution trans¬ 
mitted to the people for their action. 

The Second Congress met here May 10, 1775,” 
said Mr. Patterson, and it was here that the Declara¬ 
tion of Independence was adopted. The Second Con¬ 
gress assumed more power than the first one did, creat¬ 
ing a civil organization between the colonies, taking- 
steps for raising funds for general use, the establish¬ 
ment of an army, and formal recognition of that al¬ 
ready in the field, and making active preparations for 
carrying on the war with Great Britain.” 

Did the Congress continue to meet here until 





“ It was here,” said Mr. Patterson, “ that the Declaration of In¬ 
dependence was adopted, and Congress held its sessions when in 
Philadelphia.” 










UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


81 


'Washington city was established as the seat of gov¬ 
ernment?’^ said Dan. 

IN’o,” replied Mr. Patterson; the danger of cap¬ 
ture by the British troops and other causes resulted 
in quite frequent changes of location. The Declara¬ 
tion of Independence was adopted July 4, 1776, and 
by the following December the British troops had ap¬ 
proached sufficiently near to Philadelphia to make 
the members anxious about personal safety. So they 
adjourned December 12th to meet in Baltimore on 
the 20th of the same month. They met there, continu¬ 
ing the session until the following March, when they 
moved back to Philadelphia. By September of the 
same year, however, they seemed to be in danger again, 
and removed to Lancaster, Pa. The next day it was 
thought best to place the Susquehanna Kiver between 
themselves and the British army, so they moved over 
to York, Pa., on September 27th, and continued their 
session there until the following June, when, the Brit¬ 
ish army having evacuated Philadelphia, they returned 
to Independence Hall.” 

And did Congress remain there until its removal 
to Washington?” 

^‘Yo; it resumed its wanderings about the close 
of the Bevolutionary War, when a little band of hun¬ 
gry, half-clothed soldiers marched from Lancaster to 
Philadelphia and demanded their pay. Congress ap¬ 
pealed to the city and State authorities for protection, 
but not getting it, packed up that night and moved 
over to Princeton, Y. J. While there it adopted a 
measure providing that there should be two capital 
cities, one near the falls of the Delaware and one 


82 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


near tlie falls of the Potomac, and that until these 
were established Congress should have its sessions 
alternately at Annapolis, Md., and Trenton, JST. J. 
One session was held at Annapolis and one at Tren¬ 
ton, but the members grew tired of the two-capital 
idea, and removed to 'New York, where their sessions 
were held from that time until after the adoption 
of the Constitution, in 1788. At the first session of 
Congress under the new Constitution, held in New 
York, it was decided to locate the capital city on the 
Potomac, near the mouth of the eastern branch, leav¬ 
ing the exact location to President Washington, this 
new place of meeting to be occupied in the year 1800, 
and meantime the Congress to return to its old home 
at Philadelphia and hold its sessions there. That 
agreement was carried out, and Congress again made 
Philadelphia its home until it removed to Washington, 
November 17, 1800.’’ 

Please let me get those dates and facts, uncle,” 
said Dan, and he wrote, with his uncle’s assistance, the 
following: 

Places of Meetixg of Coxgeess. 

Philadelphia, September 5, 1774; May 10, 1775. 

Baltimore, December 20, 177G. 

Philadelphia, March 4, 1777. 

Lancaster, Pa., September 27, 1777. 

York, Pa., September 30, 1777. 

Philadelphia, July 2, 1778, and until 1783. 

Princeton, N. J., June 30, 1783. 

Annapolis, Md., November 26, 1783. 




i 



V* 









.• » 







,1 


A sliort walk brouglit them to the door of the Mint. 




























































































































































































































































































































































U^XLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


83 


Trenton, J., November 1, 1784. 

I7ew York, January 11, 1785, and until 1789. 

Philadelphia, December 6, 1790, and until 1800. 

Washington, D. C., 1800, until the present time. 

“ We must hurry on now,’’ said Mr. Patterson, 
as Dan finished the last line, for I want to see a 
friend at the Mint, and he may have time to stop a 
few minutes and show you how money is made.” 

I should be delighted,” said Dan, for I have 
often wondered how it Avas done.” 

A short walk brought them to the door of the 
Mint. Mr. Patterson, producing a card, wrote his 
own name and then that of his nephew on it, and sent 
it by a messenger to his friend, who soon appeared and 
gave them a cordial welcome. 

I wanted a few minutes with you,” said Mr. 
Patterson, and thought perhaps my nephew here, 
who seems to have a taste for acquiring information, 
might see something of the workings of the Mint at 
the same time.” 

Certainly,” said Mr. Haliday, for that was his 
name. I shall be glad to show your nephew all 
about it, and,” he added, with a little smile, if he 
has any West Virginia gold about him we might 
make it up into coin for him as a special favor.” 

Instantly there was an excited look in Dan’s eyes. 
He pulled at his uncle’s arm, and, as Mr. Haliday 
turned to give some instructions to a subordinate, he 
whispered: 

Does he really mean it, uncle? ” 

Mean what?” said Mr. Patterson. 


84 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


That he would make some West Virginia gold 
into coin for me/’ said Dan. 

I suppose so. But why do you ask? ” 

Because I have in my valise some lumps of some¬ 
thing that I think may be gold. I found them in the 
creek on Mr. Gordon’s farm, but have not told any¬ 
body about them because I did not think it worth 
while to excite them about it unless there was some 
reason to believe it really was gold.” 

Mr. Patterson looked at Dan for a moment. Then 
he took Mr. Haliday aside and conversed quietly with 
him. 

Yes,” said the official, while it is not usual 
to take small quantities of gold and make special ex¬ 
amination and assay, I would do it out of my old-time 
friendship for you, provided it is what we call ^ free 
gold,’ and not mingled with rock or such other metals 
as would require it to be smelted.” 

A few minutes later Dan and his uncle were at 
the depot, where the valise with its precious contents 
had been left in the baggage car. 

There must be something very attractive about 
that old valise,” said the baggage man. That slick¬ 
looking fellow has been in here twice trying to make 
some excuse to get hold of it.” 

That’s very strange,” said Mr. Patterson.—Do 
you think he could have any idea, Dan, what is in 

it?” 

Impossible,” said Dan, for nobody but Mr. 
Gordon’s family knew why I was coming to Washing¬ 
ton, and nobody but Mr. Gordon himself knew what 
was in the valise.” 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


85 


In a short time they were at the Mint again, with 
the bulky package that Dan had so mysteriously trans¬ 
ferred from the rafters of the barn to his valise before 
starting. 

Yes,’’ said Mr. Ilaliday, as he opened the pack¬ 
age and examined its contents, that looks like free 
gold. Let us see.” 

He led the way toward the assaying department 
of the Mint. The first thing to be done with this 
ore,” said he, is to assay it. By that I mean that it 
must be put through certain processes which will de¬ 
stroy or take away all impurities and the other metals 
which are mixed with it, and leave only the pure 
gold.” 

As he said this he placed with the gold ore a quan¬ 
tity of oxide of lead and a small portion of carbonate 
of soda. These he put into a crucible, covering them 
with salt, and, putting the crucible into the furnace, 
covered it with coals. After it had reached a white 
heat it was taken out, and Dan found his beautiful 
lumps of gold reduced to one lump, looking like lead. 
He felt very much discouraged. 

Don’t look as though there was much gold 
there,” he said. 

Wait and see,” said Mr. Haliday. AYe will 
heat this another way, so that the air can come freely 
to it while it is being heated. The other metals which 
are mixed with it, if subjected to a high degree of 
heat with the air passing,over them, unite with the 
oxygen of the air, especially if there is a large quan¬ 
tity of lead with the gold, and form a slag, which falls 
away from the gold when it cools.” 


8G 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


As lie said this he put the lump into a dish made 
of fire clay, and placed that in what looked like a 
clay tube, fiat on one side and rounded on the other, 
with small holes on the arched side for the air to pass 
through. This he put again into the furnace and 
heaped coals on it, taking care to leave the end open. 

By using this ^ mutfle furnace,’ ” said he, we 
permit the air to pass freely over the meta:l while it is 
being heated, and the oxygen of the air unites with 
the base metals, as I have explained, causing them 
to separate from the gold and lead.” 

After being melted in this manner, it was poured 
into a cooling mold, and, on hardening, the scales of 
oxidized metals fell from it as a few blows from a ham¬ 
mer were applied. 

There is now nothing left but pure lead, mixed 
with the gold and silver,” said Mr. Haliday. We 
will now get rid of the lead.” 

Saying this, he took up a little round block with 
a hollow in the top of it. This,” said he, is what 
we call a ^ cupel.’ It is made of bone ashes, which 
have the faculty of absorbing oxides of metals. By 
putting this lump of gold and lead into the cupel and 
heating it in the niuffie furnace, the oxygen of the air 
will unite with the lead, and the cupel will absorb the 
oxide thus produced, leaving only the pure gold and 
silver.” 

The cupel with its lump of dark metal, which still 
looked like anything but gold, was again placed in the 
furnace, and soon the lump of metal had formed a 
globule in the center of the cupel, and was spinning 
around at a lively gait, growing smaller in quantity 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. S7 

as the oxide was absorbed by the cupel. Suddenly it 
began to assume a brighter hue. 

That means/’ said Mr. Haliday, that all the 
other metals are now driven out, and that what is left 
is gold and silver.” 

Dan looked at the lump of metal with delight. 

Gold and silver I ” be said. My hope is realized. 
But bow can they be used, since they are so mixed to¬ 
gether that they will not make either gold dollars or 
silver dollars? ” 

Don’t be impatient, young man,” said Mr. Hali¬ 
day. It takes a good many processes to turn ore into 
coin.” 

As he said this he took the lump of precious metal, 
and, after hammering it out into a flat shape, passed 
it several times between two steel rollers until it be¬ 
came very thin, like a sheet of heavy cardboard. Then 
rolling it up into a cylinder form, he put it in a 
glass tube and poured some liquid from a bottle over 
it. 

This,” said he, is nitric acid. It has an affinity 
for silver, hut does not dissolve gold. By putting this 
in contact with this combination of gold and silver, it 
dissolves the silver and leaves the gold.” 

He then put the glass tube into a position where it 
could be heated, and soon a red vapor arose from it, 
and in a few minutes he withdrew the roll of metal, 
which now began to have its first appearance of gold. 

This,” said Mr. Haliday, after washing it to get 
rid of all the acid, is pure gold. How we will mix 
some silver and copper with it and make it into gold 
coin.” 



88 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


Mix silver and copper with it?’’ said Dan in 
astonishment. 

Certainly,” said Mr. Haliday; all gold coin, 
so called, has some silver and copper mixed with the 
gold.” 

"Why,” said Dan, is the Government trying 
to cheat the people by giving them coins that are not 
pure gold or pure silver? ” 

^sTot at all,” replied Mr. Haliday with a smile. 

Gold and silver are too soft in a pure state to he used 
in coin. They would scratch and wear away too easily. 
So the law requires us to ^ alloy ’ them, as it is called, 
by mixing silver and copper with the gold, and cop¬ 
per only with the silver.” 

How much of the alloy do you put with it?” 
inquired Dan, wondering whether his lump of gold 
would grow much larger again after the painful re¬ 
duction through which it had passed. 

AYe add one ninth,” said Mr. Haliday. That is 
to say, the coins are nine parts gold and one part alloy, 
or nine parts silver and one part alloy. They are 
usually spoken of as ^900 fine,’ meaning that there 
are 900 parts of gold or silver and 100 parts of other 
metal in the coins. This metal after being so alloyed 
is what is known as ^ standard gold ’ or ^ standard sil¬ 
ver,’ meaning that it is the standard fineness fixed by 
the Government of the United States, and most other 
governments too, for use in coins.” 

Then he carefully weighed the gold, and, making 
a memorandum of the quantity, proceeded to weigh 
out just one ninth of the quantity of the alloy to be 
mixed with it. Placing these in a crucible, they were 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


89 


soon melted and properly commingled and poured into 
a little mold, making a tiny bar of standard gold,’^ 
part pure gold and part alloy, and ready to be made 
into coin. 

Just as the little bar of gold was finished, ready 
to be made into coins, there arose a sound of excited 
voices. Men were shouting, women screaming, and 
there was a sound of quick footsteps, as though men 
were running. Looking quickly in the direction 
from which the sound came, they saw two men run¬ 
ning directly toward them. The first one, who seemed 
to be trying to escape from the other, was a slender, 
well-dressed young man, with brown mustache and 
hair; the other, who was the pursuer, was short, 
smoothly shaven, but with long gray hair, drab clothes, 
and a broad-brimmed Quaker hat. As they passed 
them the man who was being pursued stumbled and 
partially fell against Dan, nearly knocking him down, 
and then, turning, sped toward the door. Just as he 
reached it, however, the short man, who was making 
remarkable speed for one with gray hairs, made a 
quick spring and seized him by the shoulder. In the 
struggle which followed the hat and gray wig fell 
off the head of the little smooth-faced man just as 
their wearer had succeeded in snapping a pair of hand¬ 
cuffs on to the other. 

Mr. Addison! ’’ said Dan in astonishment, seiz¬ 
ing his uncle’s arm and pointing to the man in hand¬ 
cuffs. 

And Mr. Chilton,” said Mr. Patterson, pointing 
to the other, who was quietly picking up his hat and 
gray wig. 


8 


CHAPTEE VII. 


The excitement over the arrest of Mr. Addison 
took the attention of Dan and those who had been fol¬ 
lowing the course of his gold away from that subject 
for a few minutes. Vobody seemed to be able to ex¬ 
plain the cause of the arrest or the movements of the 
mysterious man in Quaker hat and white wig, and 
by the time the excitement had subsided both had dis¬ 
appeared. Mr. Haliday, seeing that Mr. Patterson 
and his nephew were especially interested, made some 
efforts to unravel the mystery, but wdthout success. 
The superior officers of the Mint were silent, and even 
the efforts of Mr. Patterson to learn the direction that 
the two men had taken were unsuccessful. 

If we are to finish the coinage of your nephew’s 
gold to-day,” said Mr. Haliday presently, we must 
make no further delay, for we close early, and there 
is barely time left to complete it.” 

Saying this, he took the little bar of gold, which 
had just been completed in a preceding chapter, and 
led the way to the coining division of the Mint. All 
the work you have seen done,” said he, except the 
addition of the alloy, belongs to the assay office. The 
gold has now been assayed, the base metal driven out 
of it, and it is ready to be manufactured into coins.” 

90 


91 



As lie said this he approached a machine having 
two heavy rollers set in a strong frame. Handing the 
bar of gold to the workman in charge of the machine, 
it was passed between the rollers, which were turned 
by strong machinery operated by a heavy engine. The 
operation flattened the gold bar into a strip nearly 
an inch in width. It was yet too thick, however, and 
by setting the rollers closer together and passing it 
through again and again, it soon assumed the proper 
thickness for coin. This operation, however, hard¬ 
ened the metal so much that it had to be annealed,’’ 
by heating it in a furnace and permitting it to cool 
slowly. It was, however, soon at the proper thickness 
and condition, and was then taken to another machine, 
which drew it steadily between two round pieces of 
steel, looking like rollers, but which did not turn. 
This made it absolutely the same thickness at all 
points. 

We will now proceed to cut you some five-dollar 
gold pieces,” said Mr. Haliday. The quantity of 
gold is not sufficient to make it practicable to cut larger 
ones.” 

With this he approached a machine having a level 
platform or bed, something like that of a sewing ma¬ 
chine, but made of solid steel. In the center of this 
steel plate was a hole a little larger than a five-dol- 
lar gold piece. Laying the strip of gold over this 
hole, he touched a lever, and a heavy piece of steel, 
shaped like a holt, moved downward directly over the 
hole. It was just large enough to pass into the hole 
in the steel plate over which the strip of gold had been 
laid, and in doing so it cut out of the strip of gold a 



92 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


round piece just the size of the hole itself, pushing it 
through the opening in the plate. 

There,’’ said Mr. Haliday, there’s your first 
five-dollar gold piece.” 

The piece which he handed Dan was a plain, round 
one, perfectly smooth, and with no marks or engrav¬ 
ing on it, such as is always seen in coins. This,” 
said he, is what is called a ^ planchet.’ We must 
now have these weighed to see if they are accurate 
as to the quantity of gold in them.” 

Following him to another room, Dan heard the 
sound of many voices. They were evidently the voices 
of women. On entering the room, he found a large 
number of women seated at long tables. Each one 
held in her hand a fiat file, and before her a pair of 
scales. A leather apron fastened under the arms was 
also attached to the table in front of her, and seemed to 
be covered with yellow dust. Each of the women, 
Dan noticed, worked in short sleeves, the arms being 
bare to the elbows. 

These women,” said Mr. Haliday, test the 
weight of every coin after it is punched out of the 
strip of gold. If the coins are too light, they are sent 
back to be renielted. If they are too heavy, they are 
filed down until the scales show that they are of ex¬ 
actly the proper weight.” 

Passing the pieces which he carried in his hand to 
one of the women, they were quickly tested upon the 
scales, and a few touches of the file brought each to 
its proper weight. Then they were taken to the mill¬ 
ing machine.” 

You have noticed,” said Mr. Haliday, that all 



These women,” said Mr. llaliday, “test the weklit of every coin. 





















UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


93 


coins have a raised rim about the edge. That is called 
^ milling.’ It is intended to protect the figures and 
engraving on the face of the coins and prevent their 
wearing rapidly when they are handled in business. 
This is the machine which raises that rim around the 
edge of the coins.” 

As Mr. Haliday said this he dropped the pieces 
into a tube of the machine, and as they fell they were 
forced between the rim of a rapidly revolving wheel 
and a solid piece of steel, so set that the space between 
the rim of the wheel and the steel was a little less than 
the width of the planchet. This squeezed the edges, 
and forced the soft metal into a little ridge at the 
edge of the planchet, all around it, just as we see it 
in coins. 

One more step,” said Mr. Haliday, and your 
five-dollar pieces will be complete.” 

As he said this he led the way to the coining press. 
It looked something like the one by which the strip 
of gold was first cut into smooth, round pieces, or 
planchets. A round hole in the steel bed, or plate, 
was just big enough to admit one of the pieces. 

You see,” said Mr. Haliday, there is a hard 
steel die just beneath this hole, which has engraved 
in it the inscription and figures which are on one side 
of the coin, and this movable die just above the hole 
has those which go on the other side of the coin. Then 
around the edge of this hole, in the steel bed or plate, 
are, you see, little notches like the teeth of a saw. 
When the pressure comes on the piece of gold, it will 
spread out into them and make the ^ reeding,’ as it is 
called, or little notches, which you see on every coin. 


94 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


If it were not for these it would be quite easy for peo¬ 
ple to file a little gold off the edge of any coin, and soon 
make them below the proper weight.’’ 

Saying this, he laid the milled planchet in the 
little round hole in the steel plate or bed of the ma¬ 
chine, and touched a lever which set the machine in 
motion. Slowly the upper die descended into the 
opening in which the gold planchet had been laid, and 
pressed upon it with a pressure equal to two hundred 
and seventy-five tons weight. In a moment the plate 
of gold, much softer than the hardened steel dies, had 
become a perfect half eagle. After being washed in 
weak acid to remove the stains of the various opera¬ 
tions, the coins were pronounced complete and handed 
to Dan. 

To say that Dan was extremely proud of the day’s 
work tells it but faintly. Xot only had he learned 
many interesting and important things about the mak¬ 
ing of coins, but he had demonstrated that the metal 
which he had found on the farm of his adopted father 
was gold. “ Perhaps,” said he to himself, I shall 
be able to take back better news than the recovery of 
the bills which that playful kitten destroyed.” His 
countenance showed his pleasure as he expressed his 
thanks to Mr. Haliday. 

That’s all right, young man,” said he. I am 
glad to be of service to any one so near to my 
friend, your uncle. But don’t you want your silver, 
too? ” 

Dan had forgotten the silver which had been 
washed out of the gold by boiling it in nitric acid. 
In fact, it had not occurred to him that it would be 



The eoinin" press. 














I 




UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


95 


recovered and made use of. So he followed Mr. Hali- 
day back to the assay department with interest, for he 
was curious to know how it was done. 

There are two ways,’’ said Mr. Haliday, by 
which the silver in this acid can be brought back to 
its solid form and made use of. The nitric acid has 
a greater affinity for copper than it has for silver, 
and if we put some sheets of bright copper in it the 
acid will leave the silver and unite with the copper, 
and the silver will be precipitated to the bottom in a 
white powder. Another way is to use common salt, 
which is composed of chlorine and sodium. The 
nitric acid has a stronger affinity for soda than it 
has for silver, producing nitrate of soda, while the 
chlorine of the salt unites with the sih^er, forming 
chloride of silver, which falls to the bottom in white 
flakes. The chloride, however, which is very fickle in 
its affections, prefers zinc to silver, so by putting 
granulated zinc with the chloride of silver the chlorine 
unites with the zinc, leaving the silver free, to be 
washed, dried, and melted and made into coin, just 
as you have seen the gold coins made.” 

The day had nearly ended, and Mr. Haliday, find¬ 
ing that he would not have time to actually convert 
the silver in the acid into hard cash, made a calcula¬ 
tion as to its value, and prepared to give Dan its worth. 

Besides,” said he, “ there is no free coinage of silver 
now, and we could not coin silver brought to us for 
that purpose, except that which comes in gold, as this 
did. We will merely pay you the value of the silver 
in the solution. But we must deduct the charges for 
assaying and coining the gold and silver, for every 


96 


UNCLE SAM’S SECllETS. 


person bringing gold here to be coined has to pay for 
this serviced’ 

This was soon settled, the charge being a mere 
trifle, only snflicient to cover expenses. As they were 
about leaving, Dan, who had noted that the floors were 
covered with a sort of iron grating in open squares, so 
that the people could not walk upon the floor itself, 
asked his uncle the reason for this curious arrange¬ 
ment. 

Are they afraid that the floor will wear out, with 
so many people walking over it, uncle ? ” said he. 

Those gratings, or little squares, arranged above 
the floor,” said Mr. Haliday with a smile, are so ar¬ 
ranged in order to catch the gold dust which may fall 
on the floor. All the sweepings of the floor are saved, 
as are also the other articles which can catch any gold. 
You noticed that the ladies in the weighing room wore 
short sleeves; that is to prevent the filings catching 
in their sleeves and being lost. The yellow dust which 
you saw on the aprons in front of them was gold fil¬ 
ings. All the sweepings, and all the articles which 
can catch any gold dust, are saved and burned. The 
ashes are put into a big tank filled with water, but 
having some quicksilver at the bottom. The water 
is kept in motion, and the gold, which is very heavy, 
settles to the bottom, where it is seized by the quick¬ 
silver, which you know has a very strong affinity for 
gold and silver. Then by heating it the quicksilver 
turns into vapor, and passes out through a tube like 
steam, and the gold is saved.” 

What a lot of trouble to save a few cents’ worth 
of gold! ” said Dan. 


UNCLE SAM’S SECIIETS. 


97 


Yes, it is some trouble,’’ said Mr. Haliday, but, 
as the amount of gold saved in that way amounts to 
over twenty thousand dollars a year, it is worth while 
taking the trouble.” 

You said, Mr. Haliday, that the gold and silver 
found in the rocks had to be smelted, or separated, 
from them in some way before being brought here for 
assaying and coinage. Can you tell me how that is 
done? ” 

The separation,” said Mr. Haliday, is per¬ 
formed in several different ways. Much of the gold 
and silver now mined is found in quartz rock, and is 
separated by grinding or pounding the rock to a fine 
powder, mixing it with water, which carries off part 
of the powdered rock, while the metal, which is so 
much heavier, sinks to the bottom. By mixing quick¬ 
silver with the pasty mass of pulverized rock thus 
formed, the precious metals are soon absorbed by it, 
and together they sink to the bottom’of the mass. 
Then the pulverized rock can be washed away and 
the quicksilver containing the gold and silver gathered 
up and vaporized, as I have already explained, the 
gold and silver being retained, and the vaporized 
quicksilver condensed for use again. In the cases 
where the gold and silver are mixed with other metals 
as well as with rock, however, heat is employed, some¬ 
times melting the metal and allowing it to run to the 
bottom of the furnace, sometimes combining them with 
other metals with which they mix more readily, after 
which they are separated by chemical processes similar 
to those by which you saw the lead taken away from 
the gold or the gold and silver separated.” 


98 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


You speak of silver and gold constantly in the 
same connection, Mr. Haliday. Are they often found 
together? ’’ 

Yes, almost always. You observed that I found 
silver and gold in the lumps of metal you brought me, 
and that I separated them by use of nitric acid, which 
dissolved the silver out of the gold. They are almost 
always found mingled in greater or less proportions. 
Sometimes the alloy which they thus formed is gold 
with merely a trace of silver, sometimes silver with 
but a trace of gold, sometimes about equally divided; 
but they are almost always, perhaps always, associated 
in some degree by Yature.’’ 

And now,’’ said Mr. Pattel’son, we must say 
good-by, for I want to call on our mutual friend 
Kennard, who, you know, handles the mail on one of 
the ocean steamers carrying mails to Europe. I want 
to see him on some business, and think it would be 
interesting to my nephew to see how the mails are 
handled on the steamers. He has been very much 
interested in the way it is done on the train and the 
star routes.” 

And equally interested in the things you have 
told us, Mr. Haliday,” said Dan. I have actually 
made my pocketbook quite fat with the precious slips 
of paper on which I have noted down the numerous 
interesting things I have learned since I left home.” 

By this time they had reached the door, and, after 
shaking Mr. Haliday’s hand and thanking him again 
for his kindness, they turned to go. To their surprise, 
however, they found the door fastened. 

What does this mean, Dobson? ” said ]\Ir. Hali- 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


90 


day to tlie man at the door. I don’t understand it. 
It is not yet the hour for closing.” 

If you please, sir,” said the man, touching his 
hat respectfully, the superintendent said he would 
like to see you in the office a moment before your 
friends go out.” 

Mr. Haliday looked at the man with some sur¬ 
prise. Are you sure of that? ” he said. 

“ Yes, sir,” said Dobson, and then, lowering his 
voice, he added: “I think you’d better leave them 
here, sir, and see him privately. I don’t know just 
what it is, but there seems to be a great flurry about 
something, and I have positive orders not to let any¬ 
body go out until they hear from that man that was 
arrested near the door a little while ago.” 

Mr. Haliday seemed to be a little annoyed^ but, 
turning to Mr. Patterson and Dan, excused himself 
and hurried to the office. lie was gone a considerable 
time. 

I hope they are not going to keep us long,” said 
Mr. Patterson, looking at his watch, “ for I must see 
Kennard before he sails, and it would never do for 
me to miss my train.” 

“ While Ave are waiting, uncle,” said Dan, I 
want to ask you if Mr. Addison knows Postmaster 
Dennison and his daughter. It was while I was help¬ 
ing them with the mail, you know, that I saw him 
Avatching me.” 

I think it likely,” said Mr. Patterson, that he 
knows them both. A relative of the Dennison family, 
Sallie’s aunt, I believe it is, is housekeeper at Mr. 
Addison’s, and I think Sallie visits her sometimes.” 


100 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


It’s all right now, old friend,” said Mr. Haliday 
as he returned. Then taking Mr. Patterson aside, he 
said: confess that I have been a little annoyed. 

You see they have missed a valuable die, from which 
silver coins are made, and the rule is to lock all doors 
while the search is being made, but I persuaded them 
to have an exception in your case. I explained that 
you were not only my friend, but occupy as responsi¬ 
ble a position in the Government service as any of us, 
and that you ought not to be detained from your duties 
while this form is being gone through with. Besides, 
they expect it will be found on the man who was ar¬ 
rested a little while ago. He has been taken to the 
station house to be searched, and they expect to hear 
any moment that it is found.” 

Don’t mention it to Dan,” said Mr. Patterson in 
a low tone. He lives close by Mr. Addison, and for 
various reasons it is best that he should not know about 
it at present. If Mr. Addison is unjustly suspected, it 
is only right that his neighbors should not know that 
he has been accused.” 

A moment later Mr. Patterson and his nephew 
were walking down the street in the direction of the 
docks. Dan felt some curiosity as to the cause of the 
detention at the door, but, seeing that the conversa¬ 
tion between his uncle and Mr. Haliday had been a 
private one, he did not feel like mentioning the sub¬ 
ject. Gradually his thoughts wandered from the 
strange incident which had closed his delightful visit 
to the Mint. He could scarcely believe that he was 
awake. Yet he had a tangible evidence that his ex¬ 
perience was not all a dream, for jingling in his pocket 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


101 


were tlie two bright pieces which he had seen trans¬ 
formed from a yellowish lump of metal into gold 
coins. 

Who is the lady at Mr. xVddison’s castle whom 
Sallie visits? said Dan. 

Ah! so your thoughts are still running in that 
direction/^ smiled Mr. Patterson. Well, I don^t 
know her name. She is, as I said, a relative of the 
Dennison family, and Mr. Dennison remarked to me 
that she lived a lonely sort of life, as her lover had 
been killed in the war, and she refused to go into soci¬ 
ety or to consider offers of marriage after that. So he 
was quite willing for Sallie to visit her and contribute 
what she might to her happiness.’’ 

Dan observed a peculiar look of sadness upon his 
uncle’s face as he said this. A moment later, however, 
as they turned the corner toward the river Dan caught 
sight of a familiar figure. It was short and round- 
shouldered, dressed in a Quakerish-looking garb, and 
had the attitude of one who is in deep study. 

That looks like Mr. Chilton,” said he to his 

uncle. 

So he does,” said that gentleman, quickening 
his steps. Let’s catch up with him.” 

They overtook him, for he was walking slowly, and 
seemed to be communing with the pavement, so in- 
, tensely were his thoughts and his attention occupied. 

Halloo, Chilton! ” said Mr. Patterson, slapping 
him on the shoulder. Where’s your friend Ad¬ 
dison? ” 

I don’t know where he is,” said Mr. Chilton 
gloomily. I’m all at sea about that fellow. I felt 


102 


UXCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


sure that I should find it on him when I got him to the 
station house. Of course, I couldn’t hold him with¬ 
out some proof, and so had to let him go. He went 
away in high dudgeon, swearing that he would get 
even with me. But I know that I was right, and I 
will prove it yet.” 

Eight about what? Prove what? ” said Dan. 

But Mr. Chilton did not answer. He walked 
away, rubbing his right ear. 


CHAPTER YIII. 


Dan and liis nncle, after Mr. Chilton had so un¬ 
ceremoniously turned his back on them, walked on 
in the direction of the docks, where they could see 
a forest of masts and rigging and the smokestacks of 
the steam vessels. 

I donT understand about Mr. Chilton and his 
attempt to arrest Mr. Addison,’’ said Dan. 

Mr. Chilton is very reticent on the subject,” 
said Mr. Patterson, as you doubtless observed when 
we spoke to him about it. I don’t mind telling you 
that Mr. Chilton is one of the shrewdest detectives 
that we have. While he is classed as a post-office in¬ 
spector, he sometimes looks out after counterfeiters, 
and sometimes for people who are charged with other 
frauds against the Government. There has been a 
great deal of counterfeit money afloat lately which 
seems to come from your part of the country. And 
Mr. Chilton appears to have thought Mr. Addison 
is in some way connected with it. But it seems that 
he made a mistake, for he admits that he couldn’t 
prove anything against him, and had to let him go 
after all.” 

But nobody who knows Mr. Addison suspects 
him of anything of that sort,” said Dan. He is 


104 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


looked upon as one of our most respectable citizens, 
and it would be hard to make anybody believe that of 
him, though I confess that I never quite liked him.’’ 

Just then they passed a window with what seemed 
to be a large collection of postage stamps, with prices 
attached. 

How is it, uncle,” said Dan, that they ask such 
high prices for those stamps? ” 

Simply because it has become the fashion to col¬ 
lect rare stamps. About the year 1850 some people 
in England took a notion to make collections of stamps. 
They got not only all the stamps then in use, but 
began to gather up all the old ones and those from 
other parts of the world. The postage stamp was not 
devised, you know, until 1840, so they had only ten 
or fifteen years to go back to cover the history of 
stamps. The idea has grown until thousands of men 
and women and boys and girls have become interested 
in it.” 

What do they do with the stamps after they get 
them? ” 

Simply paste them in their albums and then set 
out in a mad search for mure. The prices they pay 
for them are astonishing, ranging into the hundreds 
of dollars for a singular specimen which would not now 
carry a letter a mile.” 

Hundreds of dollars! ” said Dan in astonishment; 
hundreds of dollars for a single stamp? ” 

Yes, you might almost say thousands of dollars. 
There are stamps held as high as $1,800 to $2,000 
each, though, of course, they are very rare. The most 
valuable of the stamps of this country are those issued 



First U. S. Stamp, 184T. 


St. Louis, Mo., 
1845. 





Korea, 1884. 


Spain, 1855. 



Turkey, 1865. 


Uruguay, 1856. 


Confederate States, 1863. 







DOIl Vdl , Ulct, lOUO* __ ^ 

Philadelphia local delivery The smallest stamp. New Ha^n, Lonn. 
stamp. Blood & Co., 1841. 


Specimens of rare postage stamps. 


































































UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


105 


by individual postmasters before the adoption of 
stamps by the General Government in 1847. Speci¬ 
mens of stamped envelopes issued by the postmaster 
at 'New Haven, in 1845, readily bring $1,000 dollars 
each, and some are held at nearly double that sum.’’ 

Are the stamps of other countries as highly 
prized? ” 

Yes, especially those of the out-of-the-way spots 
or those issued at an early date. The stamps of Re¬ 
union Island, located in the Indian Ocean, east of 
Madagascar, bring from $200 to $400 each, and the 
common-looking penny stamp of Mauritius Island 
readily brings $1,000 for the issue of 1847.” 

It must take lots of money to make these col¬ 
lections of stamps.” 

Yes, if the collection is made up of rare ones. 
There are dealers who have $100,000 invested in 
stamps alone, and collections in Europe are valued 
even higher than that. Probably the most valuable 
collection in the world is that of Count Philip de 
Ferrary, of Paris, whose collection is said to have cost 
$500,000, and the three thousand volumes in which 
they are exhibited also cost $65,000.” 

There seems to be a good many people in this 
country interested in stamp collections.” 

Yes, hundreds of thousands. The young people 
are taking an interest in it, and its study gives them 
additional knowledge, of geography, history, and arts. 
So the study of philately is really a valuable one to 
them.” 

Philately? ” 

■ Yes, that is the name given to the study of 
9 


106 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


stamps. It means ^ the love of the study of all that 
concerns prepayment.’ ” 

Have stamps always been used to pay postage ? ” 
Ho, indeed. It is only a little over half a cen¬ 
tury since they were invented. Sir Rowland Hill, of 
England, who originated the idea of penny postage in 
that country, devised the postage stamp, and put it into 
use in 1840, which was the year that penny postage 
began in England. The use of the postage stamp by 
the United States Government did not begin until 
1847, though several postmasters in this country 
issued them for local use a few years earlier. The 
Hew York Post Office issued some in 1842, and the 
St. Louis Post Office issued*a series of stamps in 1845. 
A private mail carrier in Hew York also issued a stamp 
in 1843 on which was the picture of a man stepping 
across from the top of one building to another, hut 
the first issue of postage stamps by the United States 
Government occurred in 1847.” 

Were those first stamps issued by the Govern¬ 
ment similar to those we have now? ” 

Somewhat similar in' general appearance, but 
they sold for five cents each, which was then the price 
for carrying a letter three hundred miles or less.” 

Hid they ever charge more than five cents for 
carrying letters, uncle ? ” 

Yes, a great deal more. The rates of postage 
first established in colonial days, were eight cents for 
a single piece of paper a limited distance, and remained 
so until long after the adoption of the Constitution, 
which, you know, occurred in 1789. The rate from 
the adoption of the Constitution down to 1816 was 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


107 


eight cents for a single piece of paper any distance 
under forty miles. For more than 40 miles and less 
than 90 miles the rate was 10 cents; 150 miles, 12^ 
cents; 300 miles, 17 cents; 500 miles, 20 cents; over 
500 miles, 25 cents. These rates were slightly re¬ 
duced in 1816, but they were for only a single sheet 
of paper. If a letter weighed as much as one ounce, 
the charges were four times as much as the regular rate 
for one sheet.’’ 

One ounce is the regular weight now, is it not, 
for the two-cent rate?” said Dan, interrupting his 
uncle. 

Yes,” was the reply; and for two cents we send 
a letter to any point in the country now, while then 
the rate for one fourth the weight a few hundred 
miles was from four to twelve times as much as 
that of to-day. Yot only was the rate as high as 
twenty-five cents for a letter five hundred miles, hut, 
as the country expanded and mails were established 
between the Atlantic and the Pacific, the rate to Cali¬ 
fornia and Oregon was forty cents for a letter.” 

I suppose people didn’t write as many letters 
then as they do now? ” 

Yo, not nearly so many. They complained so 
much about the rates of postage that private express 
companies began carrying the mails at a less price 
than the Government charged. So in 1845'Congress 
decided to reduce the rate, but in order to do so it 
became necessary to put all the letter carrying into 
the hands of the Government. A law was passed pro¬ 
hibiting express companies or others from carrying 
mails unless United States postage was paid on them, 


108 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


and fixing a new rate of postage at five cents for three 
hundred miles or less, with a slightly higher rate for 
greater distances.’’ 

But there are no extra rates for long distances 
noAV, are there ? ” 

a law was passed in 1863 fixing the rate to 
any point in the United States at three cents for half 
an ounce. Before that the rates w^ere graduated ac¬ 
cording to the distance. A few years ago the rate 
was reduced to two cents to all points in the United 
States, and the weight of the letter was also increased 
to one ounce. Some day we shall doubtless have letter 
postage for one cent to any part of the country.” 

Does any other country have cheaper postage 
than the United States now? ” 

There is what we call penny postage in Eng¬ 
land, but their penny is equal to two cents of our 
money. 'No other country carries letters such dis¬ 
tances for so little money as we do, and no other coun¬ 
try carries newspapers so cheaply. Why, the country 
newspapers are actually carried free by the Post Office 
Department in the county of their publication.” 

Why are newspapers and magazines carried at 
less than cost? ’’ 

Because they are educators, disseminating use¬ 
ful information, and increasing the intelligence of the 
people, and it is held that the Government should 
aid in making it easy for everybody to obtain them.” 

By this time they had reached the vessel, and were 
soon on board, and at that portion where the ship 
post office is located. Bags of mail were being brought 
on board and stored in a cozy little room ready for the 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


109 


hand of the distributing clerk when the vessel should 
get under way. The room itself looked very much 
as though a postal car had been transferred to the ves¬ 
sel. There were the same rows of boxes and desks for 
assorting letters with which Dan had become ac¬ 
quainted on the trip in the postal car. 

Does all this mail go to Europe? ’’ asked Dan of 
his uncle. 

Yes, and a great deal more/’ was the reply of 
the officer in charge, whom Mr. Patterson had intro¬ 
duced as Mr. Kennard. The amount of mail sent 
from this country to other countries in a year is nearly 
6,000,000 pounds in weight, and this would equal 
nearly 3,000 wagonloads, and take a train of 300 cars 
to haul it.” 

Dan was fairly staggered. The thought of mails 
from other parts of the world which would load 300 
cars being sent in a single year was hard to believe. 

There must be an enormous number of letters 
sent to and from other countries,” he said. 

Yes, about 60,000,000 letters and postal cards 
in a year,” said Mr. Kennard, or about one for every 
person in the United States. Then there are nearly 
as many papers and packages.” 

Are there as many received from abroad as are 
sent? ” asked Dan. 

Kot quite. The number of letters received from 
abroad is about 6,000,000 less than the number sent. 
Our people are greater letter writers than those of any 
other country.” 

Yes, the statistics of our mails in the United 
States show that,” said Mr. Patterson. The average 


110 


UXCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


number of pieces of mail matter passing tbroiigb the 
mails in the United States is about 71 per annum for 
each inhabitant, while in Great Britain it is about 61 
for each person; Germany, 41; and France, 37.’’ 

They distribute the mail on this vessel just as we 
do on the postal car,” said Mr. Patterson to Dan. 

Yes,” said Mr. Kennard, we make up all the 
mail for one European country or section of country 
in one package, and put it in its sack properly marked, 
and that for another country in another package, and 
so on. The result is that when the vessel arrives at 
whatever point it first touches land the mails for each 
country are hustled on board the trains instead of 
going to the post offices for distribution.” 

The organization which attends to this foreign 
mail service,” continued Mr. Kennard, is called the 
Universal Postal Union, and includes practically all 
countries, excepting parts of China and Africa, and 
various islands and groups of islands in out-of-the-way 
parts of the world. All the mail received in any 
country belonging to the Postal Union and coming 
from any other country of the Postal Union are for¬ 
warded to their destination without charge. For in¬ 
stance, mails from this country for Turkey is received 
by the authorities of the countries through which it 
must pass to reach its destination, and is forwarded 
without charge as rapidly as possible. The mails from 
any one country of the Postal Union are handled by 
all other countries of that organization promptly and 
without extra charge for the service, aside from the 
regular rate of postage which is paid by affixing the 
Postal Union Stamp.” 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


Ill 


How can they afford to do that? asked Dan. 

You just said that our foreign mails amount to 300 
carloads in a year.’’ 

Yes. It is very simple, however. Each govern¬ 
ment keeps the money received for the postage stamps 
purchased at its offices and placed on the letters, and 
so receives a fair compensation for its proportion of 
the services.” 

What are the prices charged for carrying letters 
to other parts of the world ? ” 

The rate for letters not exceeding one half ounce 
in weight is five cents to any country in the Postal 
Union, excepting Canada and Mexico, to which coun¬ 
tries our ordinary two-cent stamp is sufficient. There 
are also international postal cards, costing two cents, 
which go to any country in the Postal Union. News¬ 
papers and other printed matter cost one cent for each 
two ounces, and registered letters eight cents in addi¬ 
tion to the regular rates of postage.” 

If you please,” said Dan, I’d like to write that 
down, so that I may remember it.” And he jotted 
down the facts as follows: 

Kates of Postage to all Countkies in the 
Univeksal Postal Union. 

Letters not over half an ounce weight, 5 cents. 

Postal cards, 2 cents. 

Newspapers, etc. (for two ounces), 1 cent. 

Registration fee, 8 cents. 

Rates to Canada and Mexico, 2 cents. 

Universal Postal Union includes all countries ex¬ 
cept portions of China, Africa, and certain islands. 


112 


UXCLE SAM’S. SECRETS. 


What are the rates to those parts of the world 
not included in the Postal Union? asked Dan, put¬ 
ting his slip of paper carefully in his pocketbook. 

Most of them ten cents. I don’t know now of 
any place to which the rate is more than that. The 
places to which tlie rate is ten cents are the Friendly 
Islands, interior points in China, Africa, and Mada¬ 
gascar, portions of Africa, Asuncion, Orange Free 
States, Paratonga, St. Helena, and Savage Islands. 
To all other points of the civilized world you can now 
send a letter for five cents, and pay the postage with 
our ordinary postage stamps.” 

“ Do you mean that you can send letters to Den¬ 
mark, Greenland, Iceland, Fiji Islands, Japan, Ha¬ 
waii, and such distant and difficult points for five 
cents? ” said Dan. 

Every one of the countries you have named is 
included in the Postal Union, and the postage on let¬ 
ters to any one of them is only five cents,” replied Mr. 
Kennard. 

Are the rates from other countries to the United 
States the same as from the United States to these 
countries?” 

In most of the leading countries the rate is the 
same as our own, five cents. A few of the smaller 
and weaker countries have higher prices, ranging as 
high as ten cents.” 

I should think,” said Dan, that people who 
want to get things into this country without paying 
the tariff upon them would send them through the 
mails.” ■ 

So they would,” said Mr. Kennard with a smile, 


UXCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


113 


if tlie postal clerks and regulations were not np to 
their tricks. Whenever a pretty fat letter or package 
comes from abroad which the authorities think might 
contain something that should pay a duty they notify 
the person to whom it is addressed that such a package 
has reached the post office, and that he must appear at 
a certain hour and open it in the presence of a custom 
officer. If it contains dutiable goods, the officer col¬ 
lects the tax before permitting the person to take the 
goods away.’’ 

But what if it is addressed to people where there 
is no custom officer? ” 

Then the nearest custom official is notified, and 
he usually authorizes the postmaster to have the pack¬ 
age opened in his presence by the person to whom it is 
addressed. If it contains anything supposed to be 
dutiable, the postmaster notifies the custom official, 
and he names the sum to be collected upon it before 
it is delivered.” 

•Just at this point the conversation was interrupted 
by a messenger, who announced that there were some 
men desiring to speak with Mr. Kennard. In a mo¬ 
ment Mr. Haliday, whom Mr. Patterson and Dan had 
bidden good-by at the Mint a short time before, ap¬ 
peared, and close behind him a couple of blue-coated 
and brass-buttoned officers. 

Didn’t expect to see you again so soon,” said 
Mr. Haliday, as he shook hands with Mr. Patterson 
and Dan in an embarrassed way. 

What’s up, Haliday?” said Mr. Kennard, who 
seemed to be on excellent terms with the Mint official. 
It isn’t often that you call in such a ceremonious 


114 


U^X’LE SAM’S SECRETS. 


way, accompanied by sucli a retinue,’’ glancing at the 
officers who stood silently by. 

hTothing of importance,” said Mr. Haliday in a 
nervous manner. Can I speak to you, Mr. Patter¬ 
son? ” 

M^e can not permit Mr. Patterson and this 
young man to speak to anybody except in our pres¬ 
ence,” said one of the officers, looking very hard at 
Dan. 

'VYell,” said Mr. Haliday, it is only a mere 
matter of form, though I confess it is a little embar¬ 
rassing to ask an old friend like you to submit to being 
searched by these officers.” 

Searched! ” said Mr. Patterson—searched! ” 

And your nephew, too,” added Mr. Haliday. 

Dan looked at his uncle in amazement. What 
does this mean? ” he said. I don’t understand it.” 

AYell,” said Mr. Haliday, the fact is, a die used 
for making silver dollars has disappeared from the 
Mint, and the regulations require that everybody who 
was in the building at the time shall be searched. 
It happened that it was during the time when you 
were there that it disappeared. So we will have to 
ask you to undergo the formality of a search. Of 
course, it is a mere matter of form, and I hope it will 
not be an annoyance to you.” 

Xot the slightest,” said Mr. Patterson, with a 
smile. You need not have been so embarrassed 
about such a matter, old friend. I have been long 
enough in the service of my country to expect and 
desire that every regulation shall be carried out, both 
as regards myself and as relates to my friends.. As 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


116 


for Dan here, T\l vouch for both his good sense and 
integrity, that neither will be disturbed by this for¬ 
mality.’^ 

So saying, Mr. Patterson submitted to the search¬ 
ing operations, which failed to produce anything of a 
contraband nature. Of course, we knew it would 
be a mere formality,” said Mr. Haliday, but one 
that the regulations compel us to enforce.” 

And I warn you it will be as empty a formality 
with my nephew,” said Mr. Patterson, as the officers 
began their search of Dan’s pockets. 

Sorry not to be able to confirm your good opin¬ 
ion of your nephew,” said one of them. “ But here 
seems to be the very thing we are after.” 

As he said this he drew from the lower side pocket 
of Dan’s sack coat a highly polished bit of steel, and 
held it up for inspection. 

Heavens! ” said Mr. Haliday, stepping quickly 
forward. “ Can it be possible! Yes, there is no doubt 
it is the missing die.” 

And we shall have to arrest your nephew, sir,” 
said the officer. Sorry, but-” 

He was interrupted by a cry of agony and a heavy 
fall. Dan had fainted. 



CHAPTER IX. 


A LITTLE water dashed in Dan’s face soon revived 
him from the fainting condition in which we left him 
on the discovery of the stolen die in his pocket. His 
uncle watched him anxiously as he returned to con¬ 
sciousness and the color began to resume its place in 
the face a few moments before as pale as death. He 
was anxious for Dan’s condition, but, being assured 
as to that, his thoughts began to turn to the grave 
situation and its meaning. Could Dan have been 
guilty of taking the die? He could not believe it. Yet 
he remembered the look of anxiety and alarm when 
the officers spoke of search, and then he remembered 
^the fact that much counterfeit money had been re¬ 
ported as coming from the section in which Dan’s 
home was situated. His countenance must have been 
something of an index to his thoughts, for Dan, inex¬ 
perienced as he was, immediately recognized them. 

I know it looks bad for me, uncle,” said Dan, 
but before God I am innocent! I don’t know how 
that die came to be in my pocket.” 

The officer smiled and shook his head. Xo, they 
never do,” he said. 

Dan started, stung by the remark and the sneer 
116 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. HY 

with which it was uttered. He had not been accus¬ 
tomed to having his word doubted. In that country 
home, where he had learned that truth and honor 
are the highest characteristics of true manhood, his 
statements had never been questioned. 

Whether they do or do not, Mr. Officer,’’ he re¬ 
plied with flashing eyes, I am speaking the truth, 
and God will in some way help me to prove it! ” 

That’s right, my hoy,” said Mr. Patterson, 
ashamed that he had permitted himself for a moment 
to doubt his nephew. I believe you are speaking 
the truth, Dan, and that we shall And a way to show 
that you are innocent.—As for you, Mr. Officer, if 
you will do your duty, and omit what you have just 
said, you will get along just as well.” 

I will do my duty by taking this young man to 
the station house,” said the officer with a growl, and 
it may be a part of my duty to put you in a cell also.” 

Whatever is your duty, I expect you to perform 
it,” said Mr. Patterson, looking at him steadily in the 
eye. And I also expect to hold you responsible to 
your superiors and the law for every word in which 
you exceed your duty and authority.” 

The officer reached angrily for his club, but Mr. 
Haliday’s hand was on his arm in a moment. Be 
careful, officer!” he whispered. You can’t afford 
to spoil your case and your own reputation as, an officer 
at the same time.” 

Well,” said that dignitary, somewhat abashed, 
there is no use standing here talking about it. So, 
come along.” 

It was a painful experience to Dan and his uncle 


118 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


to be mar died through the streets of the crowded city 
in broad daylight in charge of two officers. It seemed, 
too, especially to Dan, that every eye was upon them. 
He could hear occasional bits of conversation, which 
were not at all complimentary. 

Wonder what he has done,” said one, looking at 
him as he walked between the two officers, who seemed 
determined to make an unnecessary show of him as a 
punishment for his manly words of indignation when 
they expressed a doubt as to his truthfulness. 

Stole something, I suppose,” said another of 
the motley throng which gathered about him. 

“ May be worse than that,” said the first. ‘‘ He 
is a wicked-looking fellow.” 

So he is,” said the other. I hadn’t noticed it 
before, but he is a bad one. Shouldn’t wonder if he 
had killed somebody.” 

Quite likely,” said another, joining in the con¬ 
versation. I seen the officer getting ready to club 
him just before they started.” 

I wonder if they’ll hang him? ” said the first. 

Looks as though he deserved it,” replied the 
other with a laugh. 

This was too much for Dan. His fists clenched, 
and before the policemen were aware of his impulse 
he had broken from their grasp and made a rush for 
the tormentors, who had kept up their conversation 
merely to annoy him, emboldened by the fact that 
the officers were secretly enjoying it. With one 
bound Dan had reached them, and before the officers 
had time to overtake him he had given one a blow 
which sent him tumbling into the gutter, and, turning 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


119 


upon the other, was about to annihilate him with a 
blow of his strong arm when he felt his uncle’s hand 
upon his shoulder, and heard his voice of admonition 
at his ear. 

I beg your pardon, uncle,” he said., I suppose 
I ought not to have done it, but I could not help it 
after hearing what these fellows said.” 

I guess we will just put a stop to this sort of 
thing, young man,” said one of the officers as he drew 
a pair of handcutfs from his pockets, and in a moment 
had snapped them on Dan’s wrists. 

For shame!” shouted somebody in the crowd. 

The idea of two big officers handcuffing that boy to 
take him through the streets! Why, he didn’t try 
to get away from you. He was only protecting him¬ 
self from the insults against which you yourself should 
have protected him.” 

^W^es, shame!” said a half dozen voices. A 
fine performance for two brutes who call themselves 
officers of the law! Let’s take him away from 
them! ” 

No, no,” said the voice which had first cried 
shame. No violence or resistance to the law. But 
there can be no impropriety in seeing that the officers 
do their duty, and protect him from insult either from 
the crowd or from themselves.” 

Seems to me,” whispered Dan to his uncle, that 
that sounded like a familiar voice.” 

Mr. Patterson did not answer, for just at that 
moment they turned into the police station. The 
officers were evidently glad to get away from the 
crowd which had expressed itself in such an unpleas- 


120 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


ant way about them, and the iron door clanged vigor¬ 
ously behind them as Dan with his uncle and Mr. 
Haliday were hustled inside. 

The usual preliminaries were soon gone through 
with. Dan’s name and age and residence and occupa¬ 
tion were placed on the books of the station house, 
and opposite them the charge on which he had been ar¬ 
rested, and the name of Mr. Haliday as the complain¬ 
ing witness. 

I don’t like to do it, my friend,” said he to Mr. 
Patterson, “ but it is a duty which I can not avoid.” 

And now,” said the officer, with evident relish, 
we will take you to your cell, young man.” 

To my cell! ” said Dan, turning pale and looking 
at his uncle—to my cell! ” 

Certainly,” replied the officer. You don’t sup¬ 
pose we’re going to give you a room in the Continental 
Hotel while you are waiting for trial, do you? ” 

Can’t there be some way of letting him out on 
bail to-night ? ” said Mr. Haliday, anxiously, to the 
officer in charge. 

Impossible,” said that dignitary. I Avould not 
take the responsibility of accepting it in a case where 
so grave a crime aganst the United States is charged. 
And the judge won’t be on the bench again until to¬ 
morrow. You see the crime with which he is charged 
is punishable with a fine of five thousand dollars and 
ten years’ imprisonment. No, I could not possibly let 
him out on bail.” 

And my train leaves for ^Yashington in twenty 
minutes,” said Mr. Patterson in despair. What can 
be done, Haliday? I would not dare fail to make that 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 121 

run with my mail car, for the mails must he handled 
promptly. What are we to do ? ’’ 

He looked the picture of despair. Up to that time 
he had kept a cheerful face, for he had felt confident 
of Dan’s innocence, though the appearances were 
against him, hut the thought of leaving this inexperi¬ 
enced young man, charged with a crime of such mag¬ 
nitude, in a great city alone, in the hands of the officers 
who had shown such a disposition to treat him un¬ 
justly, unnerved him. 

Dan took in the situation in a moment. It gave 
him strength. Do your duty, uncle,” said he. 

Your place is in the mail car when it is ready to 
start. I would not have you neglect your duty or dis¬ 
grace yourself for me.” 

Then turning to the officer, he said, I am ready 
for my cell.” 

It was soon arranged that Mr. Patterson should 
make his run to Washington that evening, and, after 
getting a day’s leave of absence, return during the 
night, so as to be on hand when the case should come 
before the judge in the morning. 

Meantime, I will look after your nephew, and 
see that he is not permitted to suffer any want of at¬ 
tention or advice,” said Mr. Haliday. 

I must leave this moment,” said Mr. Patterson, 
or I shall miss my train and be for ever disgraced.” 

Then go, uncle,” said Dan, wringing his hand; 
but tell me first that you believe me innocent.” 

I do, my boy, I do,” said he solemnly; and I 
believe that God, in whom we both trust, will bring 
you safely out of this trouble.” 

10 


122 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


He was just hurrying to the door when a look of 
anxiety overspread Dan’s face, which had been almost 
itself since hearing his uncle’s kind assurance. Un¬ 
cle,” he cried excitedly—uncle, come back just one 
moment.” 

What is it, Dan? ” said Mr. Patterson. Be 
quick now, for I can’t lose a moment! ” 

My valise,' uncle, my valise! ” 

I had not thought of that,” replied Mr. Patter¬ 
son. A new responsibility and a new danger. "Well, 
Dan, leave it to me; I’ll look after it,” and he disap¬ 
peared in a mad race against time to catch his train. 

Mr. Haliday, after a few minutes’ stay with Dan, 
excused himself for an hour, saying that he must re¬ 
turn to the Mint, and after his dinner he would come 
in and spend the evening with him. 

Thank you, Mr. Haliday,” said Dan, for I 
know that the evening will be a long and uncomfort¬ 
able one with me. Besides, I have something that I 
want to ask you.” 

Mr. Haliday, shaking Dan’s hand, took his depart¬ 
ure. A quarter of an hour later dinner, smoking hot, 
came from one of the best restaurants in the vicinity, 
with Mr. Haliday’s compliments, and it enabled Dan 
to the pass the remainder of his absence very com¬ 
fortably. 

How can I thank j^ou, Mr. Haliday? ” said Dan 
on the return of that gentleman. It was on your 
complaint, which it was your duty to make, that I was 
arrested, and yet you have treated me as kindly as 
though I were your own son.” 

Well, I could not see the nephew of my old 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


123 


friend Patterson neglected, even under these circum¬ 
stances/’ said Mr. Haliday; but you said you wanted 
to ask me some questions, Dan.” 

Yes,” said Dan, you told me some very inter¬ 
esting facts about the coins of the United States, but 
there are many other things I want to know about 
them. AVon’t you explain to me the history of our 
coinage, and also the difference of opinion about the 
use of silver and gold and paper money, regarding 
which there is so much strife at AUashington and in 
the country generally.” 

Mr. Haliday looked at him in amazement. That 
is a most remarkable request,” said he. Here you 
are arrested charged with a serious crime, the pun¬ 
ishment for which is five thousand dollars’ fine and 
ten years’ imprisonment, and yet you want me to de¬ 
vote your first night’s imprisonment to a study of a 
subject which is proving the most troublesome one at 
the present time.” 

AYell,” said Dan, I have long wanted to know 
about these things, but have known nobody who could 
tell me until I met you. I suppose nothing can be 
done until my uncle’s return, and if I can learn what 
I have so long wanted to know I shall not so much 
regret the night in this cell.” 

Mr. Haliday could not repress his admiration for 
this country boy, who was willing to extract comfort 
from the dangers of his position by obtaining infor¬ 
mation upon a subject which so many suppose unin¬ 
teresting and dry.” 

^ AVell,” said he, the first currency of this coun¬ 
try was what was known as ^ wampum.’ When the 



124 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


Dutch first landed at the point which is now N’ew 
York, in 1609, they found that the Indians used long 
beads for currency among themselves. These beads 
were made from bits of shells. Some of them were 
white, and some purple and almost black. The white 
ones were made of what we now call ^ conch ’ shells, 
and the black ones of a certain kind of clam shell which 
abounded on Long Island. The shells were broken 
into small pieces and ground down by rubbing on a 
stone until they were about the size of a piece of pipe 
stem half an inch long. Then a hole was drilled 
through them so that they could be strung together. 
These, which had probably been originally made for 
ornaments, had become a recognized currency among 
the Indians. Knowing that they could use them in 
trade with the Indians, from whom they bought furs 
and other articles, wampum gradually obtained a fixed 
value among the Dutch of Kew York, and then among 
the settlers of the Massachusetts Colonies where bul¬ 
lets and skins had passed for money up to that time. 
On account of the scarcity of other currency it came 
to be generally recognized as such among the people, 
and was accepted for payment of taxes. Six of the 
white beads or three of the black ones were accepted 
for one penny, and they were strung in parcels of cer¬ 
tain numbers which passed for a penny, two pence, 
three pence, six pence, a shilling, and ten shillings, this 
highest combination equaling $2.50 of our present 
money. Finally, however, since everybody had a 
right to make them, there was an overproduction of 
wampum (just as some people believe there might be 
an overproduction of silver now if the authorities were 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


125 


obliged to coin into dollars all the silver brought to 
tlie mints), and its use as currency was abandoned.’’ 

Was that the only kind of money the early set¬ 
tlers had? ” asked Dan. 

I^ot absolutely. Of course there had been some 
coin brought in by the people coming from other 
parts of the world, and considerable quantities had 
been received in trade with the AVest Indies; but most 
of that went to England to pay for goods brought 
here to be sold in the colonies. So the authorities of 
the Massachusetts Colony, finding that wampum could 
not be further utilized as money because of its over- 



The pine tree shilling. 


production, and that the Spanish coins from the West 
Indies soon went abroad, set up a little mint in Boston 
in 1652, and began coining threepence, sixpence, and 
shilling pieces of silver, each bearing the figures of a 
pine tree on one side and the words ^ Hew England ’ on 
the other. That was the first mint established in this 
country, and the ^ pine tree shilling ’ and other coins 
of that class were the first coins made in America.” 

But I should think the money they coined would 
have gone abroad to purchase goods just the same as 
any other,” said Dan. 


126 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


Probably it would liave done so but for tlie fact 
that tliey made the coins only three quarters silver, so 
as to prevent their acceptance outside of this country. 
Others of the colonies soon followed the example of 
Massachusetts, and established little mints, where lim¬ 
ited quantities of silver and copper coins were made. 
Meantime, of course, there was constantly more or 
less coin of other countries being brought in and cir¬ 
culating in a greater or less degree. The English 
Government prepared a special class of coins with the 
same proportion of alloy used in the colonies, and 
these, with the Spanish milled dollars which came 
from the West Indies, became the most abundant 
metallic currency. Later there was a great deal of 
paper money issued by the colonies, called ^ bills of 
credit,’ which soon became, greatly depreciated and 
unsafe.” 

But did not the Continental Congress do any¬ 
thing about currency? L^ncle showed me the places 
where it met beginning with 1774, and told me a lot 
of interesting things about it.” 

Yes, that Congress took up the question of cur¬ 
rency early in its second session, and contented itself 
with the issuance of a cheaper and more quickly manu¬ 
factured kind of money, ^ bills of credit.’ Of course, 
the material for metallic money was scarce, and there 
was a necessity for the prompt production of some 
kind of currency to meet the requirements of the oc¬ 
casion.” 

Then when did the present system of metallic 
currency begin?” asked Dan. 


After the close of the Kevolutionary War the 



UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


127 


necessity of having coins of an established value was 
recognized, and Thomas Jetferson, in a report to Con¬ 
gress in 1784, recommended a system of coins upon 
the basis of the Spanish milled dollar, which was then 
much in circulation in this country. He proposed 
four coins—a ten-dollar gold piece, a silver dollar, 
silver coins of the value of one tenth of a dollar, and 
copper coins of the value of one hundredth of a dol¬ 
lar. The Congress adopted the proposition in 1785, 
but took no steps to put it into operation. In 1786 the 



First money coined by authority of Congress. 


^ Board of Treasury,’ by authority of Congress, had 
three hundred tons of copper cents coined by private 
contract by the Mint, which the Legislature of Connec¬ 
ticut had previously established at Hew Haven. These 
copper cents were the first money coined by the United 
States. They were big copper pieces, with thirteen 
circles linked together on one side, and bearing the 
words ^ American Congress: We are one,’ and on the 
other side the words ^ Continental Congress: Mind 
your business.’ They also bore the dates of the 


128 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


Declaration of Independence, 1776, although issued 
ten years later than that. There were few, if any, 
coins manufactured by the United States aside from 
these cents until after the adoption of the Constitu¬ 
tion.’’ 

That was several years later, was it not? ” 

Yes, the convention which framed the Constitu¬ 
tion met here in Philadelphia in May, 1787, and pre¬ 
sented a complete constitution to the people for rati¬ 
fication in the following September. It was not until 
June, 1788, however, that nine of the colonies ratified 
it, and thus made its adoption a completed fact. Then 
in the following January, 1789, the presidential elec¬ 
tors were chosen; they cast their vote for Washington, 
who was inaugurated as President on April 30th. The 
Constitution vested the right of coinage exclusively in 
the national Government.” 

All of which is interesting,” said Dan, but we 
must not get away from the story of the coinage.” 

Uo,” said Mr. TIaliday with a smile; the Con¬ 
stitution having been adopted, and with it the exclu¬ 
sive right of the Government to issue coins, an act 
was passed in 1793 establishing a mint, and by 179.5 
it had begun work.” 

'' Excuse me, Mr. Haliday,” said Dan, interrupt¬ 
ing, is there any way we could learn whether my 
uncle caught his train? I should be very sorry if he 
missed it on my account.” 

Yes, he did catch it,” said Mr. Haliday, though 
it had to wait for him, and so started several minutes 
late.” 

'' I am sorry to hear that,” said Dan. '' I hope 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 129 

tliere will no misfortune come out of the delay, 
^^ow, will you please go on with the history of the 
coinage made by the Mint which was established by 
the act of 1792.’’ 

Yes. The coinage, as I have said, began in 
1795, the silver dollar was made the unit, and its 



The Liberty-cap cent; one of the earliest coins of the mint. 


weight was fixed at 416 grains, while the ten-dollar 
gold piece was to have 270 grains, thus making the 
weight of a dollar in gold 27 grains. The cents which 
^vere coined weighed 268 grains, but they were found 
so bulky and inconvenient that their weight was soon 
greatly reduced.” 

And have the gold coins remained the same 
since that? ” 

With very slight changes. In 1834 the weight 
of the ten-dollar gold pieces was reduced to 258 grains, 
its present weight, and in 1837 the silver dollar re¬ 
duced to 412^ grains, and the gold and silver in each 
fixed at 900 fine, or nine parts pure metal ’to one part 
alloy. Since that time there has been no change in 
the weight of these coins, though there are many of 
other facts about the coinage of silver, its ratio to gold, 
and matters of that kind which are interesting and 
much discussed nowadays.” 


130 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


Just tlien there arose a sound outside which at¬ 
tracted the attention of both, a bustle of excitement 
and hurrying footsteps, and above them all the clear 
voice of a newsboy shouting: Here’s your extra 

paper, all about the accident to the fast mail train! 
The postal clerk and baggage man killed! ” 

My uncle! my uncle!” cried Dan in tones of 
agony. He is killed, and all because of the delay 
of his train, due to my presence here! ” 


CHAPTEE X. 


Dan’s night in his cell in the Philadelphia police 
station was one of mental agony. The cry of the 
newsboy announcing the wreck of the mail train had 
seemed to penetrate to his heart. He felt certain 
that it was his uncle’s train, and that the death of 
his only relative was thus due to his unlucky pres¬ 
ence, as, but for him and his misfortunes, his uncle 
would not have kept the train waiting until after its 
time, and thus the accident would have been avoided. 
Mr. Haliday tried to pacify him with the suggestion 
that there were many mail trains leaving Philadel¬ 
phia every day and night, and that this accident was 
liable to have happened to some other train than that 
on which his uncle made his moving home. But Dan 
was not to be comforted. 

I feel that it is my uncle,” he said, with a fresh 
burst of tears. O Mr. Haliday, can’t jou get me 
out of here in some way, so that I can go to him. Be¬ 
fore God, I am innocent; I did not take the die; I did 
not know that it was in my pocket; I do not know 
how it came there. O Mr. Haliday, let me go to 
my uncle, and then I will come back here and give 
the rest of my life if need be.” 

Mr. Haliday was moved to tears. I wish I 
131 


132 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


could, my hoy/’ said lie; I wish I could. I would 
willingly consent to your going to your uncle and ac¬ 
cept your promise to return. But I am powerless to 
unlock that door or to cause it to open until the judge 
has heard your case.’^ 

Dan threw himself upon the hard bed of his cell 
and gave way to his emotions. Then he started up 
with a new thought. WonT you go then, Mr. Hali- 
day? he said. You were my uncle’s friend. Go 
to him, I beg of you. Perhaps he is not killed; per¬ 
haps he is suffering, pinned down by the heavy cruel 
cars or engine. O Mr. Haliday, my father was 
killed in this way, in the same duty which has now 
claimed his only brother, my uncle. I was only a 
child then, but I remember that scene as well as 
though it happened yesterday. The train on which 
he was working was carrying an ex-President from 
Washington. The roads were crowded with trains 
carrying people from the inauguration. An engineer 
forgot his orders, and a pair of heavy engines dashed 
into his train. I wish I could forget that terrible 
scene. The train was wrecked. The cars were 
crushed, and the people in them were helpless to es¬ 
cape. My father, my own father, was one of the 
victims. Pinned down to the ground by the heavy 
engine which fell upon him, he was unable to move, 
barely able to speak, and could only ask Mr. Gordon to 
care for me. Then the steam from the broken engine 
did its terrible work, while the men and women, and 
even an ex-President and his wife, stood by helpless to 
rescue him. They could render only sympathy for 
those dying in the service of the country, and consola- 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


133 


tion to those who suffered the loss. I remember all— 
all. Go, Mr. Haliday, I beg of you, and carry to my 
uncle, if he still lives, some word of affection from his 
unfortunate nephew, who would be with him now if 
possible.’’ 

Mr. Haliday hurried out. On the street he 
stopped to buy a paper and read the report of the ac¬ 
cident, hoping to find that the blow, although it fell 
upon some heart and home, had been averted from his 
friend and the suffering boy he had just left. But 
no; the worst fears of Dan seemed to have been real¬ 
ized. One cruel line of type told it all— 

Patterson, postal clerk, killed.” 

To Dan in his cell it seemed hours before he re¬ 
turned. Every step in the quiet police station was 
listened to with anxiety yet dread, lest they should 
be those of the man who would bring him news that 
his worst fears were realized. Every clang of the 
iron door brought hope only to be followed by 
disappointment. Once Dan ventured to ask an offi¬ 
cer who came in if he knew anything about the 
wreck, and received for reply, 

^^Yes; your uncle’s dead, young feller; and you’ll 
go to the penitentiary to-morrow.” 

It was the officer who had arrested him, and he 
had not forgotten or forgiven the plain words spoken 
to him by Dan and his uncle. 

But the longest and most agonizing delay must 
have an end. After a considerable portion of the 
night had been thus passed the door opened and Mr. 
Haliday entered. Dan scarcely dared look at his face. 
Would it tell him that his worst fears were realized. 


134 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


or would it give him hope? ’’ He nerved himself for 
the supreme moment. 

Mr. Haliday advanced to the cell and held out his 
hand. His face was pale; he did not speak. 

Tell me/’ said Dan, even if it is the worst; I 
must know.” 

1 scarcely know what to answer you/’ said Mr. 
Haliday. They thought he was dead when they took 
him from the wreck. There was no movement, no 
sign of life. He was laid aside with the other dead, 
but when the wrecking train came and the bodies were 
removed I could not believe him dead. I felt sure 
there was life in his body, though I could not tell 
why. An accident of the war, in which a beloved 
officer of my own regiment, who was saved from burial 
in the trenches while conscious but unable to move or 
speak, impressed itself upon my mind. That officer 
was restored to health and is now a member of Con¬ 
gress. Remembering all this, I begged them to give 
to my friend, your uncle, the benefit of the careful 
attention which the hospital surgeons could bestow, 
in the hope of finding at last a spark of life which 
might be fanned into a flame. He has now been re¬ 
moved to the hospital. How it will be with him I 
can not say. It may be several hours, or even days, 
before we hear, but I can not give up hope.” 

Dan did not answer. He sank upon his knees 
and with upturned face breathed a silent prayer in 
behalf of his uncle. It was a touching moment, and 
especially so to those who heard his words a few hours 
earlier as he recalled the death scene which had made 
him an orphan. One experienced inmate of an ad- 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


135 


joining cell, who had been inclined to complain, because 
Dan kept him awake a part of the night, volunteered 
a sympathetic suggestion that maybe it would turn out 
all right after all, while another growled out his opin¬ 
ion that this was no place for such a boy. Gradually 
Dan gained control of his emotions sufficiently to ask 
Mr. Haliday for the details of the accident. 

It is the old story,’’ said he; a late start, a fast 
run, spreading rails, and the train ditched. Of course, 
the baggage and postal cars were the first to suffer. 
The baggage car rolled into the ditch, followed by the 
mail car. The baggage was strewn about promiscu¬ 
ously, and the baggage man, who might have jumped 
and saved his life, was found dead, grasping the most 
insignificant looking piece of baggage in the car. It 
was an old-fashioned valise, such as is seldom seen 
among the traveling public nowadays, apparently 
with little value in it. But he had selected it from 
among all the pieces of baggage, and seemed deter¬ 
mine to save it, even at the risk of his life. Curious, 
wasn’t it? ” 

Dan’s heart was beating violently now. Heav¬ 
ens! ” said he, can it be possible-” then recol¬ 

lecting the importance of caution in his peculiar sur¬ 
roundings, he asked Mr. Haliday for a more detailed 
description of the valise, and satisfied himself that it 
was his own. 

What became of the valise? ” he asked, striving 
to control his voice. 

Mr. Haliday looked at him curiously, almost won¬ 
dering if the grief and excitement had unsettled his 
mind. 



136 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


I suppose it was taken care of/’ said he; I 
think now I remember seeing a neatly dressed young 
man, of rather striking appearance, take it from the 
hand of the dead baggage man and take charge of it. 
He was very active in assisting about the care of the 
baggage, but I did not see him after that; I don’t 
know who he w^as, though his face seemed very fa¬ 
miliar to me.” 

Finding it impossible to learn more about his 
precious baggage, and thinking it unwise to disclose 
any hint as to its value in the presence of the motley 
assemblage in the cells about him, Dan said no more 
upon the subject. His thoughts were busy, however, 
and his mind was filled with the greatest anxiety. 
Should the valise and its contents disappear beyond re¬ 
covery, Mr. Gordon’s fortune Avould be lost, and per¬ 
haps he would be held responsible. He reproached 
himself for having left the train. He felt that he 
should have remained there. It was clear, too, that 
the baggage man had made an effort to save that par¬ 
ticular piece of baggage. Dan had reason to believe 
that his uncle had given the baggage man a hint of its 
value, and that the brave fellow had lost his life in 
the attempt to protect it. 

Mr. Haliday seeing how the trouble weighed on 
Dan’s mind, made an effort to turn his attention to the 
subject of their former conversation. He was suc¬ 
cessful. 

Yes,” said Dan, in answer to a suggestion from 
him, and I should like to ask you some further ques¬ 
tions upon the matter we were discussing last night. 
AYould you mind helping me to note down some of the 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


137 


facts that you gave me so that I can remember them? 
I suppose you will not go back to the hospital imme¬ 
diately/’ 

I will he glad to give you any information I 
can/’ said Mr. Haliday, for I shall remain here until 
time to return to the hospital. But what are the 
points you particularly wanted to know? ” 

Dan reflected a moment. The terrible events of 
the past few hours had almost driven the details of 
the previous evening’s conversation out of his mind. 
Yet he was willing, for the moment, to turn his 
thoughts away from the painful subject which had 
kept them busy for hours, since the reflection upon 
this could not avail. Slowly he gathered the threads 
of the subject he had been discussing, and mapped out 
in his mind the form of the concise statement he 
wanted to put on paper for reference. 

Let us see,” he said, you gave me a history 
of our metallic currency from the beginning. 
Couldn’t you give me also a statement of the history 
of our paper money, so that I could put down the main 
facts together on one slip of paper, which would thus 
show the history and present condition of the currency 
of the country, both paper and metallic?” 

I think we could do that,” said Mr. Haliday. 

But before we begin that perhaps you might like 
to know briefly something of the history of paper 
currency generally, for it is rather curious to see how 
pieces of paper came to have a recognized value 
amounting to enormous sums and passing current 
everywhere.” 

Yes,” replied Dan; I would like to understand 
11 


138 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


that. I have often wondered how it is that a piece 
of paper on which anybody can write or print any¬ 
thing he may choose is received so readily for cash 
by people wdio never saw or heard of the person who 
issues^jl-1^ 

That/^ said Mr. Haliday, is because it is is¬ 
sued or its issues guaranteed either by the Govern¬ 
ment or some well-known financial establishment whose 
guarantee is good, and which sees that it is properly 
secured and redeemed. The first currency of this 
character—aside from that used by the Chinese some 
two thousand years ago, and of which we know little— 
was issued by the Bank of Venice over five hundred 
years ago. That, it may be said, was the first bank 
of our civilization. The Venetian Eepublic, in 1171, 
being in need of money established a ^ Chamber of 
Loans,^ where it received such sums of money as the 
people were willing to loan to the Government, giving 
to each a paper showing the amount received, and 
agreeing to pay four per cent interest on it. These 
slips of paper soon came to pass current among those 
having large financial transactions. After a couple 
of centuries of this experiment, all bills of exchange 
payable in Venice were made payable in this Chamber 
of Loans, which thus became a bank of exchange. 
Persons desiring to pay debts paid the money into the 
bank, and received slips of paper showing that the 
sum had been so received, and these slips they sent 
to their creditors. Thus the banking system, which 
now permeates every community, began, and these 
certificates passed current throughout the civilized 
world, being more convenient than cash, because more 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


139 


easily transferred. The result was the establishment 
of banking houses elsewhere, the issue of certificates 
of deposit, then the notes of the bank themselves 
promising to pay certain sums, which gradually came 
to be used as currency and finally was made subject 
to such official control as to render them safe even 
though the person taking them should not know the 
one issuing the promise to pay the sum named. 

And now as to our own paper money,’^ said 
Dan, who was anxious to get his statement in shape. 

Yes,’’ said Mr. Haliday with a smile; I’ll come 
to that point now, having generalized just enough to 
let you know what paper money is, and how its use 
originated. The first paper money issued in this 
country was by the Massachusetts Colony in 1690.” 

M^hy, that was the first colony that made and 
issued coins, wasn’t it?—and only thirty-eight years 
later, for you said the first coins struck in America 
were by a mint established in Boston in 1652.” 

Yes,” said Mr. Haliday, gratified to note that 
Dan recalled the date and circumstance. I’m glad 
to see that you remember what is told you. Stick 
to that as closely as you can, and never be ashamed 
to ask what you don’t know. By those methods and 
reading on important subjects you will become an in¬ 
telligent and useful man.” 

Thank you,” said Dan modestly. 

To begin again with the history of the paper 
currency of the United States; the first was issued by 
the Massachusetts Colony in 1690 to pay the troops 
who went on the expedition against Quebec under 
Sir lYilliam Phipps. It amounted to $133,000, and 


140 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


was made a legal tender by the General Court. The 
slips of paper which were called ^ bills of credit, 
bore the following words: 



<^° < n 9.cf 

THFaS ladentei BlILoF Twcjmty 
SKdLU/vvgr due From the MadacKaFetr-^ 
Colony to tke-PoflelTor lhg.ll be-in valuc^s2^ 
ex^ualto money & fkallhe-'SCcerrdxngly^ 
acce-piedby tKe.TC'eaFunrer aun AR ecclv&rs^ 

fuboTcltnate. tokvm m allPubliok p ^yrrCv 

anjdior any Siock al any tinrrte, i/n-the-^2^ 

Trea/ivry. Boftoruin- Afew-dEj nglan-cU 
f^Lruary Jie thircU I^OcoBy OrcLer of 

the, Geme/ral 



'Corn dee 

Facsimile of the first American paper money. 


The example of Massachusetts,’^ continued Mr. 
Haliday, was followed by ether colonies. In 1723 
Pennsylvania issued bills of credit, making them legal 





UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. ^ Ul 

tender and imposing penalties on those who refused 
to accept them. In 1755 the Virginia Colony issued 
treasury notes for payment of expenses of the French 
and Indian war, and 'New York also issued bills of 
credit about the same time.’’ 



And that brings the history of the paper money 
down to the beginning of the Revolutionary War, does 
it? ” asked Dan, making a note. 

Yes. The Second Continental Congress, which 
met in Philadelphia, May 10, 1775, saw that Eng- 




142 


Ux\CLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


land meant war, for, yon know, the first attack was 
made by the British at Lexington, Mass., April 19, 
1775, twenty-one days before that Second Continental 
Congress met. Its very first action was to authorize 
the issue of a paper currency, for money was needed 
at once. This action was agreed upon in secret session 
on the first day of the session. It was issued in $1, 
$2, $3, $4, $5, $6, $7, $8, and $20 bills, and bore the 
following words: 


This hill entitles the Bearer to receive 

_ Spanish Milled Dollars or the value 

thereof in gold or silver ; according to the 
resolutions of the Congress, held at Phila¬ 
delphia, tjie 10th of May, A. D. 1775. 


Two million dollars of this was issued at once, 
but it did not last long; and as the necessities of the 
war demanded it, there were further issues until the 
sum outstanding in 1781 was $360,000,000. It be¬ 
came very much depreciated, however, for it was easily 
counterfeited, and, besides, many people doubted the 
ability of the Government to ever redeem it. It be¬ 
came so unpopular that $100 in coin would buy $2,600 
in paper money. When it became so valueless the 
Bank of Aorth America was chartered, in 1781, lo¬ 
cated at Philadelphia, and directors appointed by Con¬ 
gress, and it was authorized to issue promissory notes, 
which were made receivable for taxes and all debts 



UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


143 


due tlie United States, and a general legal tender. 
This furnished the sums necessary for the moment, 
and practically ends the history of currency prior to 
the adoption of the Constitution.’^ 

Which occurred in 1789,” said Dan, more to 
himself than to Mr. Haliday. That gentleman, how¬ 
ever, smiled approvingly and went on. 

One of the first things undertaken by the First 
Congress under the Constitution was legislation with 



Facsimile of the Continental bills. 


reference to currency. The entire banking capital of 
the country was held by three banks—the Bank of 
ISTorth America, at Philadelphia, the Bank of 'New 
York, at New York, and the Bank of Massachusetts, 


144 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


at Boston. Alexander Hamilton, tlie first Secretary 
of the Treasury, observing the prosperity of these 
institutions, proposed the establishment of a Govern¬ 
ment bank. The United States Bank was chartered, 
in accordance with his plans, in 1791, and, after much 
opposition by the strict constructionists, or Anti-Feder¬ 
alists, and the usual delays, the bank was estab¬ 
lished, the Government subscribing largely to its stock 
and depositing its money with it. The bank was lo¬ 
cated in Philadelphia, but was permitted to establish 
branches at various points. This bank issued circu¬ 
lating notes which were made receivable for public 
dues. It was rechartered in 1816, after much oppo¬ 
sition, and when Jackson became President, in 1829, 
he wanted Congress to withdraw the Government de¬ 
posits from it. Congress refused, but after it ad¬ 
journed he ordered the Secretary of the Treasury, 
William Duane, to do so. He refused, and Jackson 
removed him and appointed Roger B. Taney in his 
place, and he withdrew the deposits and placed them 
in various banks scattered through the country, which 
were called ‘ pet banks ’ because of this. That re¬ 
sulted in the final destruction of the Bank of the 
United States.’^ 

Did the ^ pet banks ’ in which the Government 
funds were deposited issue money, too, as the United 
States Bank had done?’’ 

Yes, and so did many other banks which had 
been chartered by the States. But after awhile the 
Government, in 1836, refused to receive their paper 
money for public lands or other purposes, and the re¬ 
sult was a terrible panic and the failure of many banks. 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


145 


This was so serious that a bankruptcy act was passed in 
1841 relieving 40,000 persons of liabilities amount¬ 
ing to over many millions.’’ 

Then what became of the Government funds 
deposited with the ^ pet banks ” 

They were withdrawn in 1840, and subtreas¬ 
uries established all over the country, just as we have 
them now.” 

And that ended the Government’s relation to 
the banking business? ” 

Until 1861, when the present national banking 
system was established. I ought to say, however, to 
make the story of the currency complete, that many 
State banks kept on issuing paper money after the 
panic of 1836, and the notes of this character were 
practically all the paper money the country had from 
that time to 1861. This money, although there was 
over $200,000,000 of it in the country, was very un¬ 
satisfactory, as nobody knew when taking it whether it 
was good or would long continue so, or whether the 
bank which issued it would pay the coin for it, ac¬ 
cording to the promise on its face. So when Con¬ 
gress in 1861 determined to authorize the establish¬ 
ment of national banks and make their currency good 
everywhere, it passed an act taxing the currency of 
all other banks ten per cent per annum, thus driving 
their currency out of existence unless they chose 
to become national banks. This was done to give 
uniformity and safety to the currency.” 

That,” said Dan, brings us down to our pres¬ 
ent currency, l^ow let me see if I can go over that 
briefly.” 


146 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


All right/’ said Mr. Haliday, you can be in¬ 
structor now.” 

Dan, after a moment of reflection, repeated the 
history of the present paper currency, as detailed to 
him by Mr. Chilton on the train. 

Good,” said Mr. Haliday. Aow let us get it 
on paper, for I must be off for the hospital to see how 
your uncle is.” 

So Dan wrote as Mr. Haliday called off the state¬ 
ments. 


Metallic Currency. 

First money in America: Foreign coins, wampum, 
bullets, skins, etc. 

First coinage in America; Massachusetts Colony, 
1652. 

Other colonies followed with local coinage. 

Continental Congress orders coinage of one-cent pieces, 
1785. 

.United States Mint established, act of 1792; opened, 
1795. 

First coinage: gold eagles, 270 grains; silver dollars, 
416 grains, etc. 

Gold eagle, weight reduced to 258 grains 1834; fine¬ 
ness changed 1837 to .900. 

Silver dollar reduced to 412^ grains, 1837, and fine¬ 
ness changed to .900. 

Weight of silver fractional currency reduced, 1853. 

Free coinage of silver suspended, 1873. 

Monthly purchase of silver and coinage of dollars or¬ 
dered, 1878. 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. I47 

Coinage of silver suspended and purchase of bullion 
ordered, 1892. 

Purchase of silver bullion suspended, 1894. 

Katio of silver to gold, in dollars, 15.93 to 1, com¬ 
monly called 16 to 1. 

Patio of silver to gold in fractional coins, 14.95 to 1. 

Paper Currency. 

First paper money issued by Massachusetts Colony, 
1690. 

Other colonies followed with bills of credit. 

Second Continental Congress authorized issue of pa¬ 
per money, 1775. 

Additional paper currency issued until 1781. 

United States Bank chartered, 1791; rechartered, 
1816. 

Jackson withdrew funds from the United States Bank, 
1833. 

United States funds withdrawn from pet banks”; 
established 1840. 

State banks flourished until 1861. 

i7ational banks established in 1861; greenbacks is¬ 
sued, 1861. 

Gold and silver certiflcates; represent coin in the 
Treasury. 

Treasury notes; issued in payment for silver bullion, 
1892. 

Just as the last line was written the door was 

opened and a little man with large glasses entered. 

In his hand he carried a queer-looking, old-fashioned 

valise. 


14S 


UXCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


Mr. Chilton/’ ejaculated Dan, and my 
valise.” 

Yes,” said that gentleman, in his usual quiet 
manner; I had a hard time finding it. You had 
better examine it right away, for it looks to me as 
though it had been opened by some very skillful per¬ 
son.” 


CIIAPTEK XI. 


Several days elapsed between Dan’s arrest and bis 
trial. They were days and nights of anxiety to him, 
both on account of his own surroundings and his 
uncle’s condition. Mr. Chilton, who asked him a 
good many questions about the die, and how it came 
to be in his pocket, soon disappeared. Dan had been 
unable to give him any information, and could only 
say that he was unconscious of its presence until it 
was found by the officers. Mr. Chilton was so non¬ 
committal that Dan could not determine whether this 
statement impressed him favorably or otherwise, or 
whether he was his friend or enemy. He knew that 
Mr. Chilton, being an officer of the Government, was 
bound to look out for its interests, and to prosecute 
the case against him unless confident of his innocence, 
and that was difficult to prove; for the finding of the 
die in his pocket, coupled with the fact that counter¬ 
feit money had been traced to his own section of the 
country in great quantities, put him in an awkward 
position to say the least. Yet he did not despair, for 
he had the same confidence in a Divine Providence 
which he had expressed on the day of his arrest. Mr. 
Plaliday had come and gone at intervals. He was 
compelled to be at the Mint during business hours, 
149 


150 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


and much of his remaining time was spent oscillating 
between Dan’s cell and the hospital, where Mr. Patter¬ 
son lay, his life still hanging in the balance. The 
surgeons were unable to give a decided opinion as to 
his future. There was evidently a spark of life, but 
whether it would disappear or grow into greater pro¬ 
portions they would not say. They would not even 
give an opinion, a most unfavorable omen. Tliey did 
go so far as to say that if a favorable turn came in his 
condition he would probably recover very rapidly. As 
to Mr. Haliday’s attitude toward Dan, it was some¬ 
thing the same as that of Mr. Chilton. He was an 
officer of the Government, and his business was to aid 
that Government in making a case against any per¬ 
son if he really were an offender. Besides, he 
stood in the peculiar attitude of being the chief wit¬ 
ness either for or against Dan, for he had been with 
him during the entire trip through the Mint and on 
the occasion of his arrest, and had also seen more of 
him since the arrest than anybody else. 

So Dan was entirely at sea as to what his fate 
would be, or even what his real surroundings and 
prospects were. He knew but two men in Philadel¬ 
phia, and had known them but a few days, and their 
duty to their employer, the Government, was to push 
the case against him rather than advise or aid him. 
He observed that both of them grew less attentive 
to him as the days passed. Mr. Chilton, who never 
seemed inclined to talk about anything, came in sud¬ 
denly one day, however, and asked Dan to help him 
seal up a package which he carried. 

This is an important package,” said he, and I 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


151 


don’t want anybody to know anything about it, so 
I have come to get you help me seal it up.” 

Dan wondered why Mr. Chilton had grown so 
confidential. His manner was in strange contrast 
with that which characterized his former action. Hor 
did Dan quite understand why that gentleman should 
call on him to assist in a proceeding which he wanted 
to keep so secret, and especially to do this in a station 
house, where the adjoining cells were liable to be oc¬ 
cupied by criminals of the worst sort. Yet he will¬ 
ingly lent a hand in the careful wrapping and tying 
of the package. 

How,” said Mr. Chilton, I want to seal it with 
this sealing wax. I’m going to melt the wax and 
spread it over the place where the paper comes to¬ 
gether, and I want you to press something on the 
wax as it is hardening, so that it will be thoroughly 
sealed. I’ll have to hold the paper with both hands, 
so I’ll ask you to press the wax down and make it 
firm.” 

He made a great show of folding the paper down 
carefully and neatly, and slowly melted the wax, 
spreading it over the paper at the point he indicated. 

How,” said he, seizing the paper with both 
hands and holding the edge of the paper carefully in 
jjlace, now press on the wax quick! ” 

Dan looked about him for some instrument with 
which to follow the instructions of Mr. Chilton, but 
found none. 

Quick! Be quick about it!” shouted Mr. 
Chilton, impatiently, or you will be too late, and 
the package will be ruined.” 


152 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


But I have nothing with which to press it down/^ 
said Dan. 

Pshaw! ’’ said Mr. Chilton, I forgot to bring 
the seal; well, just press your thumb on it—that will 
do, I guess, tliough I ought to have the seal.^’ 

So Dan obligingly pressed his thumb on the wax 
and held it in position for a moment. As he removed 
it there was left in the wax an intaglio impression 
corresponding to the shape of the ball of his thumb. 

Humph! ’’ said Mr. Chilton, with a growl, that 
is a fine-looking mess you have made of it. Well, 
1 suppose it is my own fault in forgetting to bring 
the seal.’’ 

He took the package to the window, where he 
could get a good light, and looked carefully at the 
seal. He even took a small magnifying glass from 
his pocket and examined it. 

Guess that will do,” said he, as he turned to 
leave the room. He came back and looked carefully 
in the long row of cells occupying the apartment, and, 
finding them empty, said to Dan: 

Which pocket of your coat was that die found 

in?” 

The right-hand pocket,” said Dan, after a mo¬ 
ment’s thought. 

A moment later Mr. Chilton had disappeared. He 
put his head back inside the room as he was about to 
shut the door behind him and said: 

Much obliged for your assistance.” 

Don’t mention it,” said Dan; I haven’t done 
much.” 

But he had done more than he supposed. 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


153 


The only gleam of light which illumined the dark¬ 
ness of those days was the return of Dan’s valise and 
the result of the examination of its contents. It will 
be remembered that Mr. Chilton had urged an imme¬ 
diate inspection when he returned it to him, saying 
that it looked as though it had been opened by some¬ 
body who was an expert in that sort of business. Dan’s 
examination of the contents, however, resulted in find¬ 
ing everything apparently undisturbed except for the 
tossing about which the valise must have undergone 
in the accident to the train. The precious pocket- 
book and the package of damaged bills seemed to be 
also undisturbed. Mr. Gordon had placed a slip of 
letter paper with his name written on it carefully 
around the bills, putting them in the big pocketbook, 
and this was in its proper position, and in it were five 
ink-stained bills, on each of which the figures 500 ” 
could be discerned. 

This discovery took a great burden off of Dan’s 
mind. He had feared that the valise might be burned 
up or lost or stolen, and if the bills were lost in this 
way he should feel that it was his own fault in not 
staying with it and taking care of it constantly. He 
had also remembered, with anxiety, the baggage mas¬ 
ter’s statement that that slick-looking fellow,” as he 
called Mr. Addison, had been trying to get possession 
of the valise; also the statement of Mr. Haliday that 
somebody had taken the valise out of the hand of the 
baggage master and disappeared with it. It seemed 
now, however, that his alarm about the matter was 
unnecessary, and he congratulated himself that prob¬ 
ably the ancient and rather disreputable appearance 
12 


154 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


of the valise, which originally had caused him some 
chagrin, had perhaps saved it from attention at the 
hands of anybody with evil designs, if there were such 
persons. The officer of the station house, after look¬ 
ing through the valise to see that it did not contain 
anything which a prisoner ought not to have, per¬ 
mitted Dan to keep it in his cell, so that he felt safe 
as to its contents from that time forward. 

He had had a weary day of waiting and think¬ 
ing over his situation, when Mr. Haliday came 
in late one afternoon. His face did not give Dan 
any encouragement. 

Don’t you think, Mr. Haliday,” said he, that 
there is some way I could get out of here and go to 
my uncle? I’m anxious to be at his side.” 

Mr. Haliday shook his head. Even if you were 
able to go out of here,” said he, the surgeons would 
not let you be with your uncle. They are remaining 
with him and are unwilling to have anybody else 
about. There is little change yet, though what there 
is is favorable.” 

Dan relapsed into silence. Then, as if making a 
struggle to put away his unpleasant thoughts which 
would do him no good, he said: 

You have told me a good many interesting 
things, Mr. Haliday, about gold, silver, and paper. 
But I should like to know about the fractional silver 
currency and the five-cent and one-cent pieces. If 
you are not too tired to talk about such matters, won’t 
you tell me about them, too? ” 

Yes,” said Mr. Haliday, looking at his watch, 
I have half an hour to spare before I go to the 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


155 


hospital, and I shall he glad to give you any infor¬ 
mation you want on the subject.’’ 

Do you make the small coins at the Philadelphia 
Mint as well as the large ones? ” 

Yes, we make all kinds of coins, bronze pennies, 
nickles, dimes, quarters, and half dollars. The bronze 
two-cent pieces and the three-cent and five-cent are not 
now coined, nor are the big copper pennies or the old 
half-cent pieces which we used to have, hut which are 
seldom seen now.” 

Half-cent pieces,” said Dan, with awakened cu¬ 
riosity. 

Yes. Few of this generation know that we ever 
had half-cent pieces, but it is a fact. Their coinage 
was authorized at the time of the passage of the act 
establishing the Mint in 1792. The same act au¬ 
thorized the coinage of large copper cents, which actu¬ 
ally weighed more than one half as much as a silver 
dollar. At first the copper cents weighed 264 grains, 
and you know the weight of the silver dollar was then 
416 and is now 412 J grains. These copper cents were 
so heavy, however, that the Government reduced their 
weight, and finally discarded them altogether in 1857, 
making the one-cent pieces of copper and nickel, but 
weighing only 88 grains. In 1864 these were dis¬ 
continued, and the present bronze cent, weighing 48 
grains, substituted.” 

What are the one-cent pieces we now have made 
of? ” asked Dan. 

They are 95 per cent copper and the other 5 per 
cent tin and zinc.” 

And the five-cent pieces? ” 


156 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


Are made of nickel and copper, tliougli the pro¬ 
portion of copper is greater than most people suppose. 
They are usually spoken of, you know, as ^ nickels,’ 
when, in fact, they have but 25 per cent of nickel and 
75 per cent of copper. 

How about the three-cent and two-cent pieces, 
and the old silver five-cent pieces that we see occa¬ 
sionally? ” 

Their coinage has been discontinued by order 
of Congress. The three-cent pieces w^ere probably 
made for use when the postage stamps sold for tliree 
cents, and when the postal rates were changed they 
were of little use. The two-cent pieces were not much 
used. So the coinage of three and two cent pieces 
and the silver five-cent pieces were discontinued by act 
of Congress in 1873. The nickel three-cent pieces 
were no longer in demand, and they were discontin¬ 
ued, too.” 

But the coinage of pennies and nickels still con¬ 
tinues? ” 

Bless you, yes; and often we are unable to sup¬ 
ply the demand. Why, we coin from forty to fifty 
million new pennies in a year and ten to twelve million 
nickels, or say an average of a million one-cent pieces 
a week and a million nickels a month.” 

Does the material in these coins cost the Gov¬ 
ernment as much as it gets for them? ” 

Oh, no; there is a big profit in the coinage of 
the one-cent and five-cent pieces—the ^ token coins,’ as 
they are called. The blanks, or planchets, for the one- 
cent pieces cost about one seventh of a cent each, and 
are, of course, accepted as one cent each after being 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


157 


struck with the die. The blanks for the nickels cost 
less than half a cent a piece, and pass for five cents 
after being struck with the die. Of course, these 
^ token coins ’ are mere tokens, and are not expected 
to have the intrinsic value of the sum named on their 
face, as is the case with other coins. 

And they pass current everywhere? 

Yes, hut they are little used in the South and 
extreme West, especially the one-cent pieces. We 
get no demand for one-cent pieces from the South 
or the Pacific coast as compared with that from 
the North. Our shipments of one-cent pieces to 
Alabama last year were less than one tenth of those 
sent to Wisconsin, which has about the same popula¬ 
tion. To Louisiana we sent last year but $50 worth 
of pennies, while to Maine, with half the population, 
the amount sent was over $4,500. Even the five-cent 
pieces are much less in demand in the South than in 
the North.’^ 

How many one-cent and five-cent coins do you 
calculate there are afloat in the country? ” 

Nearly 900,000,000 pennies and 300,000,000 
five-cent pieces, or an average of 12 pennies and 5 
nickels to each person. At least there have been 
more than that coined. It seems, however, that a 
good many of them disappear, though, of course, they 
do not wear out very fast. To show you how these 
minor coins disappear, I will say that there are still 
about 11,000,000 of the old-fashioned copper cents 
still unaccounted for, but they do not seem to come 
into the treasury or Mints. There were about 
8,000,000 half cents coined up to 1857, when their 


158 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


coinage was suspended by law, but none of them bave 
ever been returned for recoinage and none are in cir¬ 
culation. I suppose that a great many of them are 
laid away as curiosities.’’ 

AVhat is the weight of these pennies and 
nickels? ” 

Well, you can figure it out for yourself. A 
pound of nickels contains about 40 pieces; a pound 
of pennies contains about 150 pieces. An avoirdupois 
pound contains 7,000 grains. So you can figure on 
that later on.” 

You say that these coins cost the Government a 
mere trifle to manufacture, yet they pass for given 
sums of money. Must any one accept them whether 
he wants them or not? ” 

“ Only in limited sums. The pennies and nickels 
are a legal tender for 25 cents in each case. Frac¬ 
tional silver currency is a legal tender for $10.” 

So if one is offered more than 25 cents in 
pennies or nickels he need not accept it unless he 
desires? ” 

He is only required to accept 25 cents of it as 
a legal tender. Even the fractional coins are only a 
legal tender for $10 or less if anybody chooses to re¬ 
fuse them.” 

But the silver dollar? ” 

Is a legal tender in unlimited quantities, as is 
also gold.” 

Dan’s habit of setting things down ” got the 
better of him again. If you please, Mr. Haliday,” 
said he, will you repeat to me some of those interest¬ 
ing facts about the coins and let me write them down 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


159 


for future reference? There are so many of them 
that they fairly make my head buzz, and I am afraid 
I shall not remember them.’’ 

So Mr. Haliday obligingly sat down and called 
off a list of interesting facts as follows, while Dan 
wrote them down very carefully: 

United States Mint, established, Philadelphia, 1792. 
Mints are also located at Denver, New Orleans, 
San Francisco, and Carson, Nev. 

* Philadelphia Mint makes all kinds of coins; others 
only gold and silver coins. 

Total money coined in all the Mints since their estab¬ 
lishment, $2,650,000,000. 

Number of one-cent pieces in circulation, (about) 
900,000,000. 

Number of five-cent pieces in circulation, (about) 
300,000,000. 

Amount of gold coin in United States, $670,000,000. 
Silver dollars (in Treasury and circulation), $455,- 
000,000. 

Subsidiary silver coins, $77,000,000. 

Legal-tender notes, $346,000,000. 

Silver certificates, $335,000,000. 

National bank notes, $220,000,000. 

Treasury notes (act of 1890), $115,000,000. 

Gold certificates, $80,000,000. 

Silver dollars in circulation, 55,000,000. 

Silver dollars represented by certificates, 400,000,000. 

I thank you very much, Mr. Llaliday,” said 
Dan. It is very interesting to me, especially now 


160 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


that everybody is discussing it in the newspapers and 
in the politics of the country.’’ 

Yes,” said Mr. Haliday, it is an important sub¬ 
ject, and I wish more people would take the intelligent 
interest in it that you do, for it would help them to 
think and vote intelligently and properly on the sub¬ 
ject.” 

But I do not understand yet about the question 
of the ratio of silver to gold and the issue of fhore 
silver coins, so much talked about, and on which 
there seems to be much difference of opinion.” 

I shall be glad to give you what information 
I can, and it is a subject which everybody ought 
to study, especially now that there is so much talk 
about it everywhere, not only in this country but 
elsewhere. Some other day I will talk to you about 
it. I must be going to the hospital now, for I hope 
that the physicians may be able to give some opinion 
by this time as to your uncle’s prospect of recovery.” 

He shook hands heartily with Dan as he left the 
cell, and Dan found himself wondering after his de¬ 
parture whether he really believed him guilty of the 
charge which he had made against him. This started 
a train of thoughts in his mind, and he went again 
over the circumstances at the Mint, wondering how or 
where the die could have been placed in his pocket, 
and whether the ill-natured officer who professed to 
find it there really did find it, or whether the officer put 
it in his pocket in order to make a reputation for him¬ 
self. He wished Mr. Chilton was there so that he 
might suggest this theory to him, when he remem¬ 
bered that Mr. Chilton, too, represented the Govern- 


UXCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


161 


ment, and was as likely to be liis enemy as his friend, 
or at least was likely to take an absolutely impartial 
view of the situation, with a desire to do his full duty 
to his employer, the Government. 

Here’s a lady to see Daniel Patterson,” said a 
gruff voice, breaking in on his reflections. 

A lady,” said Dan incredulously. A lady to 
see me? You must be mistaken, officer. I don’t 
know anybody in Philadelphia and nobody knows 
me.” 

Can’t help that, young feller. She says she 
wants to see Daniel Patterson, or Mister Daniel Pat¬ 
terson, as she puts it. That’s your name, ain’t it? ” 

Yes, I suppose so,” said Dan faintly. 

As he said this the door opened and the lady en¬ 
tered. She was young, quite^ young, with slight, girl¬ 
ish figure, large blue eyes, which gazed in wonder 
upon the unfamiliar scenes of a police station house, 
luxuriant golden hair tucked beneath a hat which 
showed signs of travel, a delicate face pale with 
fatigue, but whose cheeks grew pink as her eyes met 
Dan’s. She walked straight to his cell and extended 
her hands. 

Don’t you know me, Mr. Patterson? ” she said. 

Dan was so unaccustomed to being so addressed 
that he did not reply for a moment. Besides, his 
thoughts were busy. They seemed to go back to a 
night scene at the railroad station, the gleam of a 
lantern, a bundle of mail sacks, a big, bluff postmaster 
and his pretty daughter. Then he recognized the 
young woman who was holding out her hand to 
him. 


162 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


“ Miss Dennison/’ he said, the postmaster’s 
daughter?” 

‘‘ Yes/’ she answered with a blush. “ I hope I 
haven’t done anything wrong in coming here. I didn’t 
know whether I ought to, but your uncle wanted to 
send word to you, and so I came.” 

My uncle,” said Dan, still wondering whether 
he was awake or dreaming. 

Yes. You see we heard about the accident ta 
my uncle, the baggage master, and your uncle, the 
postal clerk, but didn’t learn any details. So father 
and I took the first train and came here. AYe were 
too late, and ”—her voice was growing unsteady— 
we were too late to do anything for my Uncle Henry, 
who died with your valise in his hand, but have been 
with your Uncle Samuel ever since we arrived. And 
now I have come to tell you that he is better, and the 
doctors have a hope of his recovery.” 

Thank God! ” said Dan solemnly. Thank 
God for that; and I thank you. Miss Dennison, for 
coming to this terrible place to bring me this good 
news.” 


CHAPTER XII. 


The two days which followed the visit of .Miss 
Dennison to Dan’s cell were full of interest, not to 
say excitement, to both of them. It may be diffi¬ 
cult to imagine how a country boy shut up in an 
iron cage or a country girl shut up in a hospital, in 
a great city hundreds of miles away from home and 
friends, should find their surroundings interesting or 
exciting. But there was plenty to occupy their 
thoughts. Miss Dennison, it will be remembered, 
had been described by her father on the night of Dan’s 
first meeting with her as a powerful good one in 
sickness.” And her presence at Mr. Patterson’s bed¬ 
side fully justified that assertion. The physicians find¬ 
ing her an admirable nurse, encouraged Mr. Patter¬ 
son’s desire for her presence. Her gentle voice seemed 
like soft music in his ears, and her touch quieted his 
nerves and soothed the pains which he was suffering. 
Moreover, she could bring him news of his nephew, 
how he looked and talked, and what his surroundings 
were. As soon as the physicians would permit it he 
had a brief consultation with Mr. Chilton, who re¬ 
marked to Miss Dennison on passing out of the room 
that he was much gratified with her presence with 
Mr. Patterson, adding that he would gladly render 
163 


1C4 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


her any assistance she might require during her stay 
in the city. Her father had departed with the re¬ 
mains of his brother, the dead baggageman, and only 
consented to Sallie’s remaining when informed by the 
doctors that the life of Mr. Patterson might depend 
upon it. So it was arranged that she should remain 
until Mr. Patterson could do without her, and that 
Mr. Chilton should see her safely on the train which 
would carry her home without change of cars. Mr. 
Chilton was not unknown to her, for he had fre¬ 
quently visited her father’s post office in an official 
way, and these visits had resulted in quite a pleasant 
acquaintance between himself and Sallie. 

As for Dan he found much interest in the visits 
of Miss Dennison, who was occasionally able to make 
a trip from Mr. Patterson’s bedside to his cell, carry¬ 
ing some loving message back and forth as she went. 
These visits were far from disagreeable to either of 
them. She often spent a few minutes in the station 
house when it Avas not crowded, and while his first 
inquiries were for his uncle, it soon became apparent 
that her good report from the sick room was not the 
only light Avhich her presence shed in the gloom of 
his prison. Her natural diffidence soon disap¬ 
peared, and they talked of her home and surround¬ 
ings and his own quite freely. Dan had Avondered 
Avdiether the neAvs of his arrest Avould penetrate the 
fastnesses of his mountain home, and secretly hoped 
that Mr. Gordon’s family might be spared the pain 
and anxiety of that knoAviedge as he still clung to his 
belief that in some way his innocence Avould be proved. 
He consulted Miss Dennison on this question, and she 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


165 


agreed with him that there were little probability of 
the facts becoming known in their home, and added 
that she had cautioned her father not to mention it, 
because she believed that Dan would be found inno¬ 
cent. 

Thank you. Miss Dennison,’’ said Dan, with 
brightening eyes, as he extended his hand to her when 
she made this statement. Thank you, and God 
bless you for it. You do not know how much satis¬ 
faction it gives me to hear that.” 

Well, you must not place too much confidence 
in my opinion on that subject, for I am not a lawyer, 
you know.” 

^Mt was not so much that,” said Dan; it was 
not so much the opinion that I would escape punish¬ 
ment as it was your expression of a belief that I 
am innocent. I can not tell you how much good that 
statement from you has done me. It gives me new 
strength to bear my heavy burden of the imprison¬ 
ment and temporary disgrace.” 

I must hurry back to your uncle,” she said, with 
a perceptible tremor in her voice; he says the mo¬ 
ments are like hours when I am away.” 

Come now,” said a gruff voice as the officer’s 
head bobbed through the half-opened door, you’ll 
have to stop this now. Time’s up. Better take a 
last look at that feller, young lady, for we’re soon 
going to send him where the dogs won’t bite him for a 
good long time.” 

Mr. Officer,” said Dan, with a voice quivering 
w’ith indignation, I beg that you will attend to your 
duties and omit any remarks to this young lady, or 


166 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


any discussion of a subject which is not your province 
to talk about at this time at least.’’ 

Guess I’ll talk as much as I want to about it,” 
said that officer in a surly manner, and I don’t want 
any of your back talk, or I’ll put you in solitary con¬ 
finement, where you will not see this pretty young 
lady or anybody else. We’ll just put a stop to this 
thing of your having visitors.” 

Perhaps you will and perhaps you will not,” said 
a familiar voice in the direction of the door. I 
think, Mr. Officer, you are overstepping the bounds 
of your duty materially, just as you did when you and 
another strapping big officer took occasion to hand¬ 
cuff this boy because he had refused to submit to in¬ 
sults from which you failed to protect him. I’d ad¬ 
vise you to be a little careful or you may hear some¬ 
thing that you don’t like before this matter is over.” 

The owner of the voice walked into the cell room 
as he said this, and stopping in front of the officer, 
looked him squarely in the eye. He was a little man, 
weighing perhaps half as much as the big officer of 
the law whom he thus addressed. But somehow his 
words seemed to hit the mark, for the burly officer, 
after looking at him for a minute, turned on his heel, 
muttered something unintelligible, and disappeared 
through the door. 

If you are going in the direction of the hos¬ 
pital, Miss Dennison,” said Mr. Chilton, for it was 
he who had thus addressed the officer, I’ll walk with 
you.” 

They had only been gone a few minutes when Mr. 
Haliday entered. 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


16Y 


I’m glad to see you, Mr. Haliday,” said he, for 
it is growing tiresome waiting here with such a charge 
against me and with so few friends in this great 
city.” 

Yes, that is true,” said Mr. Haliday, sympathet¬ 
ically. But I think you will not have to wait much 
longer. I have just come from your uncle and found 
him greatly improved.” 

Thus reassured, Dan’s thoughts turned to the sub¬ 
ject on which Mr. Haliday had promised to enlighten 
him at the time of their last conversation. 

You said when we were talking last time,” said 
Dan, that you would give me some further informa¬ 
tion about silver money and the questions regarding 
it, which are being so much discussed everywhere 
now.” 

Yes,” replied Mr. Haliday, if you find that 
subject more cheerful than the gloomy thoughts 
which seemed to be in your mind when I came in, T 
shall be glad to talk to you about it now.” 

I should be delighted,” said Dan. For if T 
am likely to have my trial soon, I hope to leave here 
before long, and I want to hear what you can tell me 
on this subject as it will probably be my only oppor¬ 
tunity.” 

Well,” said Mr. Haliday, the question, to begin 
with, is whether we shall have in this country bimet¬ 
allism or monometallism. Bimetallism is a doctrine 
that two metals—silver and gold, for instance— 
may be adopted in the country at one time as standards 
of value, and bear to each other a fixed ratio estab¬ 
lished and recognized by the Government. Mono- 


168 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


metallism is a doctrine that only one metal—gold, for 
instance—should be used as the standard of value. By 
the ratio I mean the number of grains of silver which 
shall be considered equivalent to one grain of gold. 
It is found that where two countries adopt a double 
standard, but with different ratios, the gold or silver 
leaves the country in which it is given the least value 
and flows to the country where it is most valued.’’ 

Do many countries have bimetallism?” asked 

Dan. 

Xot many of them now,” answered Mr. Hali- 
day. Most of the leading nations of the world have 
stopped the coining of silver except for subsidiary or 
fractional coins. England stopped it in 1816. Ger¬ 
many made gold her sole standard in 1873, Holland 
did the same thing in 1875, and Spain took similar 
action about the same time. JSTorway, Sweden, and 
Denmark demonetized silver in 1873, only coining it 
for fractional currency. The United States, which 
had coined no silver of any consequence for many 
years, dropped the silver dollar from her coinage in 
1873, but resumed it under certain restrictions in 
1878. The Latin Union, which was a combination 
formed by France, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, and 
Belgium, for a mutual ratio and coinage of silver, 
stopped the coinage of silver in 1878. Austria-Hun¬ 
gary adopted the single gold standard in 1892, and the 
free coinage of silver in India was stopped in 1893, 
and Japan adopted the gold standard in 1897.” 

That must have stopped most of the demand 
for silver, did it not? ” 

Yes, and curiously, too, there was a great in- 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


169 


crease in the production of silver about that time, 
especially in the United States. So the price naturally 
went down to less than one half what it used to be. 
The general opinion of financiers is that silver can 
now be generally used only by agreement among the 
leading nations for a fixed ratio and resumption of 
coinage. Several conferences of leading nations have 
been held to consider it, but no agreement has been 
reached.’’ 

But still there are many people in this country 
urging free coinage.” 

Yes, they believe that if silver is coined freely 
there would be much more money in the country, and 
that the silver coins would continue to pass current 
as they do now, and as they did when the silver dollar 
was by law the standard of value. You see the act 
of 1873 made the gold dollar the standard, so that 
we are really a monometallic country, but with a 
large silver circulation.” 

How many grains of silver are equal to a grain 
of gold in our dollars? ” 

Sixteen,” said Mr. Haliday. Prior to 1834 
the ratio was 15 to 1, or fifteen times as many grains 
of silver in a silver dollar as there were grains of gold 
in a gold dollar. But the ratio in Europe was 15-^ 
to 1, and as there was a profit in sending silver to 
this country and getting gold in exchange for it, our 
gold went to Europe and their silver came here. So 
the ratio was changed to 16 to 1. This resulted in a 
demand for our silver coins abroad because each con¬ 
tained a little more silver than other countries consid¬ 
ered equal to one dollar in gold. So in order to keep 
13 


170 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


tlie fractional currency at home its weight was reduced 
to less than the standard fixed for the dollars and has 
continued to the present time.^’ 

So our fractional currency does not have as much 
silver as the dollar? 

I7o, a dollar’s worth of fractional coins only con¬ 
tains 384 grains of silver instead of 412^ grains as a 
standard dollar has.” 

Is our ratio of 16 to 1 still larger than that of 
European countries generally? ” 

Yes; nearly all of them have a ratio of 15^ to 1 
for the coins which are full legal tender.” 

When was our free coinage of silver stopped? ” 

The free coinage was stopped in 1873, but the 
Government has been buying and coining silver at 
various times since then. An act passed in 1873, reg¬ 
ulating the coinage of the country, omitted to men¬ 
tion the silver dollar at all, and the friends of silver 
insisted upon some recognition for it in the cur¬ 
rency; so an act was passed in 1878 directing 
the Secretary of the Treasury to buy silver and 
coin it into dollars. This was continued at the rate of 
$2,000,000 worth of silver per month until 1890, 
when the law was repealed and the purchase of silver 
bullion authorized, to be paid for in Treasury notes, 
which have already been explained to you. This soon 
proved unsatisfactory, however, and that law was re¬ 
pealed in 1893, thus practically ending the coinage 
of silver except for fractional coins.” 

Have we as much silver as other nations of the 
world? ” 

Yes, more than most of them. We have over 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


171 


$500,000,000 in silver, including the fractional cur¬ 
rency, which alone amounts to $70,000,000. Only 
three other countries in the world—France, India, and 
China—have as much silver as we have; only two 
countries—France and the Netherlands—have as 
much silver for each individual, or ^ per capita,^ as it 
is called. Our silver money amounts to little over 
$8 for each person.” 

Take all our money together—gold, silver, and 
paper—have we as much per capita as other coun¬ 
tries? ” 

More than most of them. We have $23 per 
capita in circulation, while such strong and wealthy 
countries as England has $20.75, Germany $18.50, 
Spain $16.50, Switzerland $14.50, Canada $13.50, 
Austria-Hungary and Italy $10, Greece $9, Scan¬ 
dinavia $8, Kussia $7, Mexico and Japan $5, India 
$4, Turkey $3, and China less than $2 per capita. 
The only nations of the world which have more 
money per capita than we have are France, which 
•has $35, Belgium $25, Netherlands, $28, and Aus¬ 
tralia $25.” 

Let me get some of those figures, won’t you, 
Mr. Haliday? ” said Dan. And he wrote the follow¬ 
ing, with Mr. Haliday’s assistance, that gentleman 
looking on with an amused expression meantime: 

Monometallism makes one metal the standard of 
value. 

Bimetallism makes two metals the standard with a 
fixed ratio. 

Katio of silver to gold in our coinage, 16 to 1. 


172 UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 

Katio of silver to gold in most European countries, 
15i to 1. 

England stopped coining silver (except for fractional 
currency) 1816. 

All European countries took similar action between 
1873 and 1893. 

More money per capita in the United States than 
elsewhere, save France, Netherlands, Belgium, 
and Australia. 

And now, Mr. Haliday,’’ said Dan, putting away 
his notes, I want to ask you what you think of 
the prospect of my getting a trial soon, since my uncle 
is improving? ’’ 

Just as he said this the door opened and a fine- 
looking old gentleman, with white heard and a states¬ 
manlike appearance, walked into the cell room. He 
looked sharply about him as though rather unfamiliar 
with this sort of surroundings. 

AVhere’s Daniel Patterson? ’’ he said. 

Here, sir,’’ said Dan, \vondering what new tor¬ 
ture was in store for him now. 

The old gentleman advanced to the cell and looked 
sharply at him for a full minute—it seemed much 
longer to Dan—without speaking. 

I have been appointed by the court to take 
charge of your case,” said he. I do not often do 
work of this kind, but it seems that you are alone and 
without friends, and the judge has asked me to act 
as your attorney. We must have a consultation at 
once, for the case comes up to-morrow, and I confess 
that it looks like a bad one.” 


CHAPTEE XIII. 


The morning set for Dan’s trial found him in a 
state of anxiety. He had placed himself at the service 
of his counsel, Colonel Ransecker, who had questioned 
him and cross-questioned him about the finding of the 
die in his pocket, but it all resulted in a simple state¬ 
ment from Dan that he knew nothing about its pres¬ 
ence there until it was apparently taken from his 
pocket by the officer. 

Apparently,” said Colonel Ransecker, now that 
is not a bad idea. Perhaps that officer had it in his 
hand all the time, and just slipped it in your pocket 
and took it out again in order to get the credit of 
finding it.” 

Colonel Ransecker soon decided that he must con¬ 
sult Mr. Patterson, wdio was the only man in Phila¬ 
delphia knowing Dan’s history, and the only one, ex¬ 
cept Mr. Haliday, who was with him during his visit 
to the Mint. So he posted off to the hospital, leav¬ 
ing Dan to his thoughts, but soon returned very much 
depressed. 

The doctors absolutely refuse to let me see 
your uncle even for a moment,” he said. They 
said that while he was doing well and on the road to 
recovery, the agitation of a discussion of this question 
173 


1^4 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


and the knowledge that the trial was in progress would 
be very hard for him. It is very unfortunate. It 
seems like a desperate case. We are going to trial 
with no evidence to sustain your claim of innocence, 
but on the other hand the hard fact that the die was 
apparently found in your pocket.’’ 

But he is innocent, Mr. Lawyer, I’m sure he is 
innocent,” said a gentle voice beside the cell. 

Dan started, and Colonel Kansecker looked around 
in surprise. Lie saw a sweet-faced young girl, plainly 
dressed, her golden hair brushed back from the deli¬ 
cate temples, the big blue eyes plainly showing anxi¬ 
ety and loss of sleep. 

Miss Dennison,” said Dan. You here at this 
time? ” 

“ Yes, Mr. Patterson,” said she. MBiy not? 
You are to be tried this morning upon a charge of 
which I believe you are innocent. I do not know that 
I can do any good, but I want to be near you and at 
least show my belief in your innocence.” 

A lot of good that will do,” said a harsh voice at 
the door. Come on, young man, your case is the 
first one to be called. I guess it won’t be very long, 
either, for I don’t see any witnesses in your favor.” 

It was the officer who had arrested him. He was 
still bent on taking his revenge for Dan’s manly re¬ 
sentment of his numerous insults. 

As they took their seats a dignified-looking per¬ 
sonage, wearing a black gown, entered by a side door 
and occupied the chair behind a high desk at the end 
of the room. A chill seemed to pass over the as¬ 
semblage as he looked around. 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 175 

That’s Judge Solium/’ said Colonel Kansecker. 

He is to preside in your case.” 

Dan looked at him with anxiety. He did not see 
much of promise in his face. 

A wizen-faced old man with shiny coat, which 
showed the wear of a dozen seasons, rose as solemnly 
as though he were about to officiate at a funeral and 
droned out these words: O yea, O yea, O yea. All 
persons having business with the honorable court of 
the United States are admonished to draw near and 
give their attention as the court is now sitting. God 
save the United States and this honorable court.” 

It was extremely ludicrous, and Dan, to whom it 
was entirely new, could scarcely repress a smile as 
he asked Colonel Ransecker what it meant. 

Oh, that is the custom,” said that gentleman. 

That dignified person who just delivered the ora¬ 
tion is what is known as the ^ crier ’ of the court. He 
always opens court with those words.” 

^‘Silence in the court!” roared Wizen Face, 
making believe he heard something moving at the 
other end of the court room. 

Everybody tried to hold his breath lest this digni¬ 
tary should be offended. When Wizen Face, evidently 
satisfied that he had earned his salary for the day, 
sat down exhausted. 

While this was going on the dignified judge was 
collecting his thoughts and adjusting his gown and 
glasses. 

Call the first case, Mr. Officer,” he said. 

The United States against Daniel Patterson! ” 
shouted Wizen Face in an offended tone, as though 


176 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


Dan had committed an offense against him in requir¬ 
ing him to speak again so soon. 

Your Honor/’ said Colonel Ransecker, as he 
rose, Daniel Patterson is present and ready for trial 
if the court desires. I have been appointed as his 
counsel, but owing to the illness of his only relative 
or acquaintance in the city, have been unable to learn 
much of his antecedents or to obtain witnesses as to 
his character. His home is in West Virginia and he 
has no friends here except an uncle, who was badly 
injured in the railroad accident a few days ago.” 

Well, let’s hear the case,” said the judge, with 
some severity. “ This officer tells me that the pris¬ 
oner has been very troublesome—that he not only re¬ 
sisted arrest, but has been insolent and turbulent 
since.” 

There was a stir in the back part of the court 
room as he said this, as though somebody had at¬ 
tempted to move nearer to the front. 

The first witness put upon the stand was Mr. Hali- 
day. He related how Dan came to the Mint with his 
uncle and been shown through it from one end to the 
other, and that the absence of the die had been dis¬ 
covered meantime; how a stranger had been arrested 
and searched without finding it, and finally how it 
was found in Dan’s pocket. Then the officer who 
arrested him told his story, not forgetting to embellish 
it with an elaborate account of Dan’s indignant words 
when his statement of innocence was met with doubts, 
and his subsequent breaking from the officer and at¬ 
tack upon a couple of innocent spectators,” as the 
officer denominated them. 


UNCLE SAM'S SECEETS. 


177 


And what have von to offer in defense? in¬ 
quired the judge, looking at Dan’s counsel, Colonel 
Ransecker. 

I’m sorry to say, your Honor, there is very little 
to offer except the statement of this young man him¬ 
self. He denies the charge, and says that he doesn’t 
know how the die came to be in his pocket.” 

Let the prisoner take the stand,” said the judge 
sharply. 

So Dan was marched not unwillingly into the 
witness box. In ansAver to questions he told of his 
trip from home, omitting to state the cause of his 
visit to Washington, as he did not desire to expose Mr. 
Gordon’s business unless necessary. Then he told 
about his trip through the Mint, the interesting things 
he had seen there, and closed by saying that he did 
not know how the die came to be found on him. It 
was a clear, frank, straightforAvard story. 

And this is all the evidence you have to offer 
in his defense,” said the judge, looking to Colonel 
Ransecker. 

Alas! it is, your Honor. I had hoped to get 
from his uncle some evidence as to his character 
and the improbability that he could have had any 
incentive to take the die. But unfortunately he 
is too ill from the effects of his accident to be 
present or to have eA^en seen me in regard to the 
case.” 

TV^as there nothing else of a suspicious character 
found on him? ” said the judge. 

Hothing else at the time, your Honor,” spoke up 
the officer. But I have here a small pocketbook 


178 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


containing a number of suspicious papers, wliich was 
found in his cell after he left it to-day/’ 

My pocketbook,” said Dan, and all the slips 
of paper I have collected. It must have fallen out 
of my pocket.” 

Let us see what those suspicious papers are,” 
said the judge. 

Colonel Eansecker looked at the pocketbook and 
then at Dan. He was uneasy at this new turn the 
case was taking. 

The officer laid the pocketbook on the desk before 
him and took out the papers one by one, reading 
aloud the descriptions of the different kinds of metallic 
and paper currency which they contained, the weight 
of the various coins, etc. 

Dreadful,” said the judge, dreadful. Why, 
it’s evident that this young person was preparing to 
go into the counterfeiting business with great ac¬ 
curacy and in a way that would have made him a 
dangerous person. Young man, what have you to 
say about this great mass of evidence against your¬ 
self? ” 

Only this, your Honor,” said Dan, rising and 
speaking respectfully. I was not aware that it is 
a crime for anybody to know these things. The news¬ 
papers, the politicians, the law-makers, and the people 
generally are discussing these questions all the time, 
as to whether we ought to have more money, and if so 
whether it should be paper or silver, whether there 
should be free coinage or not, what the ratio of silver 
should be to gold, and whether the National Bank cur¬ 
rency should be permitted to take its place. I 


UNCLE SA^rS SECEETS. 


1Y9 


thought that people ought to know these facts which 
I have been gathering in order to be intelligent on 
these subjects/^ 

Just then there was a stir at the rear end of the 
court room. A man clad in an outing suit, with 
brown side whiskers and a face tanned by exposure 
to the sun, entered hastily. 

Is the case of Daniel Patterson being tried? ’’ he 
said, in a tone evidently intended to reach the ears of 
the judge. 

Order in the court! roared Wizen Face, as¬ 
tonished at the audacity of any one who should thus 
assume to interrupt the court. 

“ I beg the pardon of the judge and officers of the 
court,’’ said the gentleman, bowing low and advanc¬ 
ing to the judge’s desk. “ I did not intend to violate 
any rules of the court, but I am extremely anxious to 
be heard before this case is closed. I saw by the pa¬ 
pers while I was on the train that it was to be tried 
this morning, and I feared that I might be too late to 
make a statement which I think is very important in 
the case.” 

This is an unusual request,” said the judge 
sternly, but in view of this statement the court will 
adjourn for dinner and give you a hearing later in 
the day.” 

At this the gentleman bowed low and withdrew, an¬ 
nouncing that he would be present when the court met 
at one o’clock. Colonel Eansecker anxiously inquired 
of Dan as to his identity, but Dan replied that he had 
never seen him before and had no idea who he was or 
w'hat he Avould have to say. 


180 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


So we can do nothing hut wait/’ said Dan. 

Meantime, if you have nothing else to do, I want to 
ask you about this court and the reason that the judge 
wears that funny old gown. It reminds me of the 
pictures of old English judges.” 

Quite likely,” answered the colonel, for 
this is a United States Court, you know, and our 
United States Courts got their fashions from the 
English.” 

Why am I being tried in a United States 
Court? ” said Dan. I thought the courts were State 
institutions.” 

Some of them are,” replied the colonel, but 
the United States Courts are established for the trial 
of offenses against the Government, cases in which the 
Constitution is called in question, or where the case 
is between parties living in different States. Your 
case is brought in the United States Court because 
the crime with which you are charged is an offense 
against the United States.” 

^Mdow many United States Courts are there?” 
said Dan, glancing anxiously toward the door to see 
if Mr. Chilton and the other would-be witness were 
returning. 

There are several kinds or classes of United 
States Courts,” said the colonel. There is one 
United States District Court in every State, and in 
some large States more than one. These District 
Courts have charge of criminal cases and those relating 
to shipping and navigation, which are usually called 
admiralty cases. Then there are nine Circuit Courts, 
each circuit including several States; they have charge 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


181 


of civil cases. Then there are also in each of these 
circuits what is known as Circuit Court of Appeals, 
to which persons not satisfied with the decisions of the 
District or Circuit Courts may appeal certain classes 
of cases. Then there is the Supreme Court at Wash¬ 
ington, to which a limited class of cases may he ap¬ 
pealed from the District and Circuit Courts and 
from the Supreme Courts of the States. The Su¬ 
preme Court, you know, is the highest tribunal of the 
land; when that court decides a case there is no 
further appeal. The Supreme Court not only decides 
cases at issue between citizens or States, but decides 
whether the laws passed by Congress and the States are 
in violation of the Constitution or the rights guaran¬ 
teed by the Constitution to the citizens of the coun- 
try.’’ 

, The duties of these judges must be very impor¬ 
tant,” said Dan. 

“ Yes, very. Some cases stop with the District 
and Circuit Courts, while many of those appealed to 
the Circuit Court of Appeals are not permitted to go 
further. Those which go to the Supreme Court end 
Vvfith the decision of that court. So it is important that 
the judges selected for all the United States Courts 
should be men of great learning and ability and ab¬ 
solute integrity and fairness.” 

How are these judges appointed?” said Dan, 
still looking for the return of Mr. Chilton. 

By the President, who nominates them to the 
Senate, and that body, if it finds them satisfactory, 
confirms them.” 

Then are the judges changed whenever a new 


182 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


President comes in, just as postmasters and other offi¬ 
cers are? 

I^^o. The framers of the Constitution saw that 
if the judges were to be subject to change every time 
the ajDpointing power changed, there would be danger 
that they would be prejudiced in their acts and de¬ 
cisions in favor of the appointing or removal power. 
So it was provided in the Constitution that they should 
hold office during good behavior, and that their sal¬ 
aries should not be diminished during their continu¬ 
ance in office. This makes them absolutely inde¬ 
pendent of the changes which go on in the political 
world about them, and helps them to be absolutely 
unprejudiced in their interpretation and administra¬ 
tion of the law.^’ 

So the United States judges continue to be 
judges as long as they live, do they? ’’ 

Until they reach an age at which it is proper 
for men to retire from public life. The law permits 
them to retire at the age of sixty-five, provided they 
have served ten years in their position, and allows 
their salaries to go on to the end of their lives. This 
enables them to be absolutely independent of any 
other business pursuits or occupations or political com¬ 
binations which would prejudice them or distract them 
during their service as judges.’’ 

Do these courts of which you have told me in¬ 
clude all the United States Courts? ” 

Yes, excepting the United States Court of 
Claims, in which cases against the United States are 
brought, and the United States Courts in the Terri¬ 
tories and District of Columbia, for which judges are 


UXCI.E SAM’S SECRETS. 183 

provided in the same manner as for the District and 
Circuit Courts.^’ 

And have we always had this system of United 
States Courts? ’’ 

Ever since the adoption of the Constitution, 
which provided the general system, and the first ses¬ 
sion of Congress of the United States, which pro¬ 
vided the details. The Court of Claims and Circuit 
Court of Appeals have been more recently established, 
hut aside from these the Federal judiciary is practi¬ 
cally the same established by the Constitution and the 
legislation which immediately followed it.’’ 

The men who framed the Constitution and early 
laws must have been very wise to prepare a system 
that would stand the test of a hundred years without 
the necessity for a material change? ” 

Yes, the establishment of the Federal judiciary 
system ^vas one of the most important things which 
the framers of the Constitution performed; many be¬ 
lieve it was the most important. The only guarantee 
for the enforcement of the laws passed by Congress 
before that was the mere promise of the State to en¬ 
force them, and they had often been found utterly 
worthless. But the adoption of the system of Fed¬ 
eral authority brought order and the enforcement of 
the laws, without which the Constitution and the 
Union would have failed in their purpose.” 

Just then the mysterious stranger who had asked 
to be heard in Dan’s case entered the door accom¬ 
panied by Mr. Haliday and Mr. Chilton. After a 
brief conversation in a distant corner of the room, 
Mr. Haliday crossed the room where Colonel Ran- 


184 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


seeker was sitting, and asked if he would do them 
the favor of speaking briefly with them. To this he 
assented with a readiness that gave Dan great encour¬ 
agement. This was increased by a gentle pressure 
of Mr. Haliday’s hand, w^hich seemed to Dan intended 
to express that gentleman’s friendliness. The confer¬ 
ence lasted some fifteen or twenty minutes, and at its 
close the door of the judge’s room opened and the 
judge resumed his seat upon the bench. Somehow he 
did not seem to wear the hard look upon his face that 
was visible while the hearing was going on in the 
morning. Perhaps it was the effect of his good din¬ 
ner, perhaps of something he had heard with refer¬ 
ence to the case. At least Dan imagined he could 
detect a look of kindness as the judge’s eyes fell upon 
him for the moment before the opening of the court. 

Wizen Face rapped sharply for order, and as he 
did so the gentlemen who had been engaged in con¬ 
sultation returned to their places wdth a look upon 
their faces which encouraged Dan greatly. 

Your Honor,” said Mr. Haliday, I have a re¬ 
quest to make in regard to this case. It is a somewhat 
unusual one, but facts which have been brought to 
my attention by this gentleman I think fully warrant 
me in it. I shall ask a continuance of the case, and 
I also ask that such bail be fixed for this young man 
that an immediate release will be practicable. To 
show you my good faith,” continued Mr. Haliday, 
and my wish to do justice to this young man I 
will say I desire to offer bail for him myself as soon 
as the court shall fix the sum required. I will add 
that facts which have come to my knowledge since 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


185 


the adjournment of the court convinces me that it is 
impossible to complete the case at present and obtain 
absolute justice or the proper punishment of the guilty 
party.’' 

I desire as an officer of the Government/’ said 
Mr. Chilton, rising and addressing the court, to 
join in the request that the case may be postponed. I 
myself have given the matter close attention and fully 
agree with the statement that Mr. Haliday has made 
as to the advisability of postponement.” 

A most unusual circumstance,” said the judge, 
for the person upon whose complaint the case is 
brought to ask a continuance and himself offer bail for 
the accused, but from what has been said to me I 
think it only just and proper to grant the request.” 

Before this case ends,” said Mr. Chilton im¬ 
pressively, I desire to call the attention of the court 
to the course of Officer Yankum toward the prisoner. 
I was in full view of him when he arrested this young 
man and heard the words that passed. His treatment 
of the man he was making a prisoner was entirely un¬ 
justified and insolent. Yot only so, but he permitted 
others to offer insults while taking him to the station 
house instead of protecting him from them as he 
should have done. Yot content with that, he has 
been unnecessarily harsh and malicious in his actions 
toward him during the days he has been awaiting the 
consideration of the case. I find also that he has been 
in communication with other parties who have very 
important reasons for desiring the conviction of this 
young man whether guilty or otherwise.” 

Officer Yankum started. He turned pale and red 
14 


186 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


by turns, but for once bad no reply to the words of 
defiance fiung at him by this little man who on former 
occasions had defied him. 

What have you to say to this? ’’ said the judge 
sternly. 

It is not true/’ said the officer, putting on a bold 

front. 

It is true,” said Mr. Haliday, rising in his place 
and respectfully addressing the court. For I myself 
was present at the arrest and on several subsequent 
occasions when his treatment of the prisoner was harsh, 
not to say cruel.” 

I fully concur in the statement Mr. Chilton has 
made, and readily join in requesting the dismissal of 
this officer,” added Colonel Kansecker, for I only 
learned to-day how unjustly he had treated the pris¬ 
oner.” 

And I shall take care,” said Mr. Chilton, to 
see that he is not permitted to leave the city or pass 
beyond the reach of justice, for I think I shall have 
further use for him in a way that may be extremely 
important to us and unpleasant to him.” 

Officer Yankum grew uneasy as these words were 
spoken. lie was pale, and his appearance and man¬ 
ner were so much changed that he would have been 
scarcely recognized as the same man. He rose and 
turned toward the door as if to leave the court room, 
but was recalled by the stern words of the judge. 

I am astonished to hear of these things,” he 
said; you will be transferred to the cell this young 
man has occupied until these charges can be investi¬ 
gated and proper action taken.” 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


187 


Then, turning to Colonel Eansecker and to Mr. 
Haliday, the judge announced a postponement of the 
case, and fixed the hail at a nominal sum. The bail 
was promptly furnished by Mr. Haliday, and Dan 
found himself again at liberty. 

And now, Dan,’^ said Mr. Haliday, you must 
arrange to accompany your uncle to Washington at 
once. The physician thinks he will be better oft’ 
there, and is willing to permit him to leave to-day. 
Mr. Chilton has been summoned to a point in your 
State on some official business and will accompany 
Miss Dennison on her way home. It is quite fortu¬ 
nate, as her trip would be a lonely one but for that 
kindness on his part.’’ 

But I don’t understand about this mysterious 
man who has asked a postponement in my case,” said 
Dan. Who is he, and what does he know about 
me? ” 

That we shall be able to let you know later,” re¬ 
plied Mr. Haliday, and I think the facts will be quite 
as curious and astonishing to you as anything you 
have learned on your trip thus far.” 


CHAPTER XIY. 

It was a liappy party that took its way from the 
court room to the hospital where Mr. Patterson had 
been nursed from the verge of the grave to a condi¬ 
tion in which his transfer to Washington was consid¬ 
ered advisable. 

We will not go into a detailed explanation of 
the matter to-day/’ said Mr. Haliday, for it would 
tire Mr. Patterson too much. But I will see that you 
are advised of the facts and situation at the proper 
time. I shall keep posted upon your movements and 
the state of Mr. Patterson’s health, and you may re¬ 
ceive a call any day from the gentleman who was in 
the court to-day asking a continuance of the case.” 

They had reached the hospital by this time. Mr. 
Haliday, after breaking the news of Dan’s release to 
Mr. Paterson, began arranging for their departure 
in accordance with the wish of the physicians. 

Do not talk to your uncle about the case to-day,” 
said he to Dan, for I have said all that is necessary 
to him about it for the present.” 

The next morning saw Dan and his uncle on board 
the train for Washington, and Miss Dennison and 
Mr. Chilton taking another train for the West. Both 
Dan and his uncle saw her depart with regret, for her 
188 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


189 


Ivindiiess to each under their entirely different but 
equally distressing conditions had touched their hearts 
more than they knew. 

I am sorry that I shall not be able to go all 
the way with you/’ said Mr. Chilton, as he and 
Miss Dennison took their seats in the car after 
bidding good-by to Dan and his uncle. I will 
telegraph your father that you will arrive on this 
train, and as I go to within a few miles of your 
home, you will doubtless make the trip comfortably 
and safely.” 

The trip, which occupied a large part of the day, 
proved an extremely pleasant one both to Mr. Chilton 
and Miss Dennison. Mr. Chilton laid aside his usual 
reticent manner and conversed freely with Sallie, 
whose sweet face and delightful ways added to the 
regard he had already felt for her and her father. 
The sun was pretty well down his afternoon path 
when Mr. Chilton bade her good-by, asking the con¬ 
ductor to look after her, and dropped off the train 
at Blankville, where his chief had telegraphed to 
meet him. 

The train was moving quite rapidly when Mr. Chil¬ 
ton stepped off the car on to the platform alongside the 
little depot at Blankville. He was an experienced 
traveler, and in his visits to small post offices on the 
railroads had frequently been obliged to get off the 
train at places where it was not scheduled to stop. On 
occasions of that sort he merely asked the conductor 
to slow up and let him off while the train was in mo¬ 
tion. Indeed, he preferred this in many cases, for he 
was often able to make his visits to a suspected local- 


190 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


itj with less attention from observers by getting off 
a through express train, as the arrival of a train which 
is to stop is always a signal for a gathering of a crowd 
at a station. So he was not embarrassed by the fact 
that the train was moving at a pretty rapid rate, but 
stepped quickly and safely to the platform, and, turn¬ 
ing, found himself greeted by his chief. Inspector 
Bradley, who had evidently been awaiting his arrival 
with a good deal of impatience. 

Hello, young man,’’ said that gentleman, in a 
quiet but cordial way. I began to think the opera¬ 
tor had made a mistake in sending your telegram. It 
said that you were in Humber 7, but I had about given 
you up when the train began to move on without leav¬ 
ing you. I am glad to see you, anyway, for I have 
got a case for you, and as it was too important to 
delay I thought I would meet you here and we could 
talk it over. You see there has been a lot of stealing 
from registered letters up in this part of the country 
somewhere, and I want to give you the facts and have 
you to get to work at once.” 

Mr. Bradley was a man of perhaps forty-five or 
fifty, who had been long in the service of the Post 
Office Department and served his term as a traveling 
inspector. The scraggy black beard that grew in 
patches on his face had turned to an iron gray in the 
service of the country. Long hours of travel without 
sleep, prolonged mental activity, and physical exposure 
in the pursuance of the difficult duties of his position 
had told on him, and the hair that was black as the 
. raven’s wing when he entered the service was now 
white as snow. But he was still vigorous, his eye 


UNCLE SAM’S SECIIETS. 191 

was keen, his mind alert, and his hand had not lost 
its cunning. 

Now let’s walk up to the hotel,” he said, and 
talk this matter over, for we must get to work and 
nab this fellow before he gets away with any more 
registered letters. His stealings have been quite large 
already.” 

They walked quietly to the only hotel in the vil¬ 
lage, while the gossipers on the street corners stared 
and wondered who they were and what was their busi¬ 
ness. Stopping at the door, Mr. Bradley inquired in 
a voice loud enough to be heard by everybody whether 
there were any coal lands for sale in that vicinity. 
Having thus satisfied the curiosity of the gossips, he 
led the way to the room and turned the key behind 
him. 

Now,” said Inspector Bradley, as he drew a pack¬ 
age of papers from his traveling bag, and with them 
a map of the post routes of that section, we find that 
a lot of registered letters sent by men employed at 
these mines a few miles off the railroad have been 
opened and the money taken out of them. The let¬ 
ters reached the people to whom they were addressed 
all right, but without the money in them. Some¬ 
times the large bills in them are taken out and small 
ones put in their place. Sometimes all the money 
is taken and none put hack. Now, I want you to find 
out who is doing this stealing. Get your ^ decoy ’ 
letter ready and begin work at once.” 

Mr. Chilton was examining the map intently. 
He traced the route over which letters from the mines 
must go to reach the railroad, and his hand trembled 


192 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


perceptibly as lie saw it lead to Minersville, the very 
post office at which Sallie’s father was postmaster. 
Could it be possible that he should have to bring dis¬ 
tress to this sweet young girl by tracing this crime to 
her father’s office? 

You see/’ went on Mr. Bradley, the mail is 
carried from the mines to the post office at the rail¬ 
road, but makes stops at a number of small post offices 
on the way. I have investigated far enough to know 
that the letters are opened before they get into the 
mail car on the railroad. So it is easy enough to find 
out which one of the persons through whose hands 
it passes between the mail car does the stealing, for, 
you know, they seldom stop after once beginning. I 
want to warn you especially about Postmaster Den¬ 
nison. I am inclined to believe he is the man, and 
I have reason to know that he is suspected.” 

Postmaster Dennison,” said Mr. Chilton, with a 
start—Postmaster Dennison, and you want me to 
convict him of robbing the mails? ” 

Why not ? ” said Inspector Bradley, with a look 
of astonishment at Mr. Chilton’s excited words and 
manner. If he is guilty, I want him arrested, of 
course. If he is not guilty, why, of course, the sus¬ 
picion against him will be removed by finding the 
man who is guilty. But I don’t understand why 
vou are so much agitated about Postmaster Denni- 

Yothing,” said Mr. Chilton, quickly—noth¬ 
ing, only I was so much surprised that he could even 
be suspected. But, as you say, if I find this work is 
being done by somebody else, I can relieve him and 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


193 


Lis anxiety which this suspicion against him might 
cause.^^ 

Then his face lighted up, and he sat down at the 
table and began to prepare for his task. In a few 
minutes he had his decoy letter prepared. It was 
an ordinary letter addressed to a fictitious name, but 
some bills so marked that they could easily be identified 
were placed in it. Then he made a memorandum of 
the bills, the date, and other characteristics so that 
there could be no doubt about identifying them. 

IN^oav let me get to w^ork,’’ he said, shaking In¬ 
spector Bradley’s hand. I am anxious to get at 
it, for I am tired of the life I have been leading of 
late. I will report to you as soon as I get the man 
located and arrested.” 

He passed out and, calling on the landlord, ordered 
a horse, saying that he wanted to take a ride over the 
mountain to look at some mines and might be gone 
several days. The landlord was quite willing to fur¬ 
nish him the horse and saw prospects of numerous fat 
fees from the excursions of this sort which the 
prospector ” would be making. In a few minutes 
Mr. Chilton was headed toward the mines where the 
stolen registered letters originated, and Inspector 
Bradley took the next train home confident that the 
perpetrator would soon be in the toils of the law. 

An all-night ride brought Mr. Chilton to the 
mines. Carefully inquiring when the mail left, he 
registered his letter and passed out of the office. Bid¬ 
ing slowly down the road over which the letter carrier 
w'ould come an hour later he stopped and waited. 
Exhibiting to him his commission, which he always 


194 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


carried in a little leather case, he soon enlightened the 
carrier as to the object of his visit, for it was necessary 
to open the sack and examine the package after it 
passed each office, to see whether the decoy letter had 
been opened or taken out of the sack. 

I expect you will find that letter missing, Mr. 
Inspector, after this sack goes through Postmaster 
Dennison’s hands,” said the carrier. 

Why so,” said Mr. Chilton anxiously. What 
makes you think that?” 

Well, you see,” said the carrier, with an uneasy 
shrug of the shoulders, I don’t quite know, but Mr. 
Dennison seems to be in trouble of late. His daughter 
has been away for some time, and he seems to be lost 
without her. Then a slick-looking fellow from up the 
road kept coming down here and was a good deal with 
Dennison, and I noticed that there was a light in the 
post office a long time after it was closed. So one 
night I—but you won’t give me away, Mr. In¬ 
spector? ” 

Give you away? No, of course not. I expect 
you to keep my confidence and I will keep yours.” 

Thank you, Mr. Inspector. I don’t like to talk 
about this, for I like Mr. Dennison and believe that 
he did not mean to do anything wrong, though he got 
into trouble and was forced into it.” 

Forced into it. What do you mean? ” 

"Well, you see this slick-looking fellow from up 
the road came down here, and Postmaster Dennison 
seemed to be kind of lonely, and this fellow and one 
of his pals got the old man into a gambling game. I 
saw a light in the post office late one night, and I 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


195 


thought something was going on wrong, and so I 
kind of stood around and listened and looked through 
a crack under the back door. I saw them playing 
wdth the old man, and they won all his money. Then 
he got a good hand and seemed to get kind of excited 
like. ^ I have got a good hand,’ said he, ^ hut T 
haven’t got any money; will you trust me?’ The 
slick-looking fellow laughed and said, ^ I guess you 
can find some money somewhere. There is almost 
always money in a post office.’ That seemed to set 
the old man thinking, and pretty soon I saw him 
go back into the room where the registered letters 
were kept, and he opened one and took the money 
out of it. I suppose he thought he had such a good 
hand that he could win and put the money back, and 
nobody would ever know it. But he didn’t win. He 
looked troubled after that, but went on playing night 
after night, and pretty soon the inspectors began to 
come around, and word got out that somebody had 
stolen registered letters. I am sorry, Mr. Inspector, 
but I guess you will find where the stealing is going 
on when you open the sack next time.” 

Mr. Chilton had listened attentively during this 
recital. He did not speak. He felt that his worst 
fears were to be realized. Sallie’s father was the 
culprit; there seemed no reason to doubt that. It 
was equally apparent that he had been led into it by 
some unscrupulous villain. 

Who was this man who was playing with Mr. 
Dennison? ” he asked. The slick-looking fellow you 
called him.” 

Well, I don’t rightly know. He came from up 


196 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


tlie road, and I believe they called liim Mr. Ander¬ 
son or something like that.” 

Anderson,” said Mr. Chilton, rubbing his right 
ear. Anderson.” Then a thought seemed to strike 
him. AVhat kind of a looking fellow was he? ” 

A small man, with light hair and pale face, and 
hands that looked as though he had never done a lick 
of work.” 

And are you sure his name was Anderson? ” 

E’ot right sure, sir, but something like that. 
It don’t seem to me that it was quite that, but it was 
something like it.” 

Think again,” said Mr. Chilton, striving to con¬ 
ceal his anxiety. Can’t you get the name right? ” 

AVell, Mr. Inspector,” said the carrier after a 
moment’s reflection, it sounded more like Addison 
than Anderson, but I never heard of anybody by that 
name, so I thought it might be Anderson.” 

A half hour later Mr. Chilton met the carrier, who 
had duly delivered his mail sack at Postmaster Den¬ 
nison’s office and was awaiting the arrival of the train 
which was an hour late. 

There is one thing I want to ask you about, Mr. 
Inspector,” he said, if you have a few minutes 
to spare while you are waiting for the train. There 
was a fellow up here not long ago asking a lot of 
curious questions, and I wanted to know what it 
meant. He went to my house and wanted to know 
all about my family, how old each one was, how many 
children, how much land we had, whether there was 
a mortgage on it, whether we were natives or foreign¬ 
ers, and what we did for a living. I got mad about it, 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


197 


for I thought it was an impertinence to be going 
around asking such foolish questions. But he said he 
was doing it for the Government, and was counting 
all the people in the United States. I thought since 
you are representing the Government you might know 
what he meant and could tell me about it.’’ 

Yes,” said Mr. Chilton, he was taking the 
census.” 

Census,” said the carrier; ^Svhat’s that?” 

It is a count of the people in the United States. 
He was right when he said all the people in the United 
States were being counted, though he himself was not 
doing all the counting. He was one of about fifty 
thousand men who were employed to do it. The 
country was divided up into districts and subdistricts, 
and the men were paid two cents for each name re¬ 
corded in the cities and three cents in the country, 
twenty cents for each farm and thirty cents for each 
manufactory. They visited every house and home, 
and got all the names and the other facts about the 
people and reported them to Washington, where the 
names and other facts were made into lists and footed 
up, and figures thus obtained showing the number of 
people in the country, their occupations, the things 
they manufacture and their value, their indebted¬ 
ness, their wealth, the number who have homes of 
their own, and a great many other things of this 
sort.” 

What do they do all this for? ” 

Well, there are various reasons. The first is a 
political one. The Constitution provides that a census 
shall be taken every ten years, so that the number of 


198 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


people in each State can be known and a proper dis¬ 
tribution of members of Congress made in proportion 
to the population of each State. Unless they had 
some way of knowing the number in each State, it 
would be impossible to determine how many repre¬ 
sentatives in Congress each State should have. This ‘ 
was the reason why the Constitution required that 
a census should be taken every ten years, so/that the 
States could get their proper number of members in 
Congress in proportion to their population.’’ 

Is that the only reason for making this count of 
the people? ” 

Oh, no. It gives a great deal of information 
about the occupation of the people, showing what 
kinds of employment are most profitable, attractive, 
healthful, or important in their bearing on the 
prosperity of the country. It shows what sec¬ 
tions are the most productive, and what effect the 
various sections have on the people, their health, ac¬ 
tivity, and business success. It shows the increase 
in the number of people, the number of foreigners 
and the children of foreign parents, the kind of 
citizens that each class make, and the number 
of each class who have become criminals or failed 
to support themselves and thus become a public bur¬ 
den. It shows the number of people who receive a 
good education and those who do not, and the effect 
that the education has on their lives. It shows the 
number of farms and the production of the various 
kinds of grains, the number of manufactories and their 
products, the number of people engaged in commerce 
and their success, and the number of homes and the 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


199 


proportion of those which are owned by the people 
occupying them.’^ 

What does the Government want to know these 
things for? ’’ 

In order to enable the people to take advantage 
of the best opportunities for business, success, and 
health; and it should show them, too, how well satis¬ 
fied they should be with their surroundings when 
compared with those of other people of the world.’’ 

“ Are we so. much better off than people of other 
parts of the world, then? ” said the carrier in a doubt¬ 
ful way. 

Undoubtedly,” said Mr. Chilton. We have 
more money and less indebtedness, more land for each 
person and less taxes to pay, more people with homes 
of their own, and better wages than those of other 
countries.” 

That’s a pretty good record, ain’t it? ” said the 
carrier with awakening interest. This census is a 
pretty good thing to have if it tells all that. It ought 
to make people feel sort of contented and homelike. 
But how is it that they are all the time growling 
about not having money enough and all that sort of 
thing, if we have more money than the people of the 
other parts of the world? ” 

Mr. Chilton smiled. That’s hard to answer,” 
he replied. It is so easy to be dissatisfied and to find 
some reason for wanting something else. But it is a 
fact that we are better off in nearly every particular 
than our neighbors in other parts of the world.” 

How much wealth have all the people of this 
country got? ” said the carrier. 


200 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


Tlie last census showed tlie value of their prop¬ 
erty, land, houses, and homes, and railroads, and fac¬ 
tories, and money, altogether to he about $65,000,- 
000,000. That is more than any other country in the 
world has, and it is estimated that the wealth of the 
people of this country is increasing at the rate of 
$2,500,000 a day.’’ 

Sixty-five billions of dollars,” said the carrier. 

How I would like to see all that money at one time! 
How much money did that make for each person 
of the United States if it were divided out equally 
all around ? ” 

A little over $1,000 a piece for every man, 
woman, and child in the United States,” said Mr. 
Chilton. That is more than the average of the peo¬ 
ple of Europe have. The people of England and 
France average a few dollars more pe?' capita than 
we do, as those countries are so much older than ours, 
but we are gaining rapidly on them, and in a few 
years, if we have no misfortunes, will have more 
wealth per capita than any country in the world. 
We have a greater total wealth now than any of 
them.” 

But what about the great big debt that the 
Government owes that the people have got to pay? 
The politicians keep telling us about that awful debt 
and great lot of money the Government spends pay¬ 
ing interest on it.” 

Our national debt,” replied Mr. Chilton, is 
only $17 for each person, or per capita, they call 
it, while that of Kussia is $30 per capita, Belgium 
$63, Austria $72, Italy $76, Great Britain $87, Heth- 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


201 


erlands $95, and France $116 'per capita. I should 
think we ought to consider ourselves pretty well off 
in the matter of national debt when we compare our 
condition with that of the other great nations of the 
world.’’ 

You say that our people get better wages than 
those of other countries? ” 

Yes, the people who work in factories in Russia 
get an average of about $120 per annum, Germany 
$155, France $175, England $204, and in the United 
States $340. So you see the wages of this country 
are about double those of Europe generally, and more 
than one half greater than those of the best paying 
countries of Europe. Besides that, our manufactures 
are greater in quantity and value than those of any 
other country in the world.” 

And our farms are much larger, did you say? ” 

Yes, the average size of the farms in Europe 
is about 48 acres, while in this country the average 
is about 134 acres.” 

What was it you said about the schools and edu¬ 
cation? ” 

We are decidedly better off than the people 
of the other parts of the world generally in that par¬ 
ticular. The number of school children in each 1,000 
persons in this country is 130, while in Europe, which 
has the best educational advantages of the other parts 
of the world, it is 105 to each 1,000 persons. The 
illiterate persons in this country are about 8 per 
cent of the population, while in England they are 13 
per cent, Austria 39 per cent, Italy 48 per cent, Spain 
63 per cent, and Russia 80 per cent. Germany, how- 
15 


202 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


ever, sets us a good example for the illiterate, as that 
country has less than our own.” 

But the taxes, Mr. Chilton, the politicians are 
always talking about being so awful? ” 

Yes, I know they say that. Yet the most promi¬ 
nent statistician of England admits that the taxes of 
England are 50 per cent higher per capita than our 
own, and those of Erance are still higher than those of 
England. To be sure, we collect from our people 
and pay out for the expenses of the Government 
$1,000,000 a day, but that is much less per capita 
than other countries collect.” 

Do other countries take a census and find out all 
these things about the condition of their people and 
Avhether they are as well off as those of other parts of 
the world? ” 

Yes, nearly all of them now do so. Only a few 
did so before it was begun in this country in 1790, 
but the benefit of it has been so great and the facts 
which it brought out so valuable that most countries 
take a census now, many of them as often as once in 
three years, though we take it once in ten years.” 

As Mr. Chilton said this his eyes caught a glimpse 
of a man with a mail sack on his shoulder. It was 
the mail en route from Mr. Dennison’s office to the 
car. 

Instantly he forgot all about the census and the 
glory of the country and the happiness of its people. 
Only one thought pervaded his mind. Should he find 
his decoy ” letter yet untouched, or should he be 
compelled in the pursuance of his duty to cause the 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


203 


arrest and punishment of Sallie’s father instead of 
removing the suspicion which hung over him as he 
had hoped? All these thoughts rushed quickly 
through his mind and filled him with anxiety. The 
messenger trudged gayly along, little realizing the 
anxious thoughts his appearance had aroused. With 
a merry whistle he threw the mail sack from his shoul¬ 
der into the mail car, which stood on the switch await¬ 
ing the arrival of the train which was expected in a 
few moments. 

Mr. Chilton almost feared to enter the car and 
proceed with his duty. But a duty it was, and he 
was not the man to shrink from it. He entered the 
mail car, closing the door behind him that he might 
be alone. Then, with trembling hand, he drew from 
his pocket a bunch of keys and selecting the one which 
fitted this particular lock opened the mail sack and 
drew out the package of registered letters, and quickly 
selecting his own from among them he held it to the 
light. Even this action was unnecessary, for the mo¬ 
ment he took hold of it he w^as conscious that it had 
been tampered with since it left his hand an hour 
before. A quick glance of his experienced eye con¬ 
firmed the belief, which his touch had already created 
—the letter was empty. 

My God!’’ he said, ^Svhat shall I do? How 
can I bring this sorrow upon this young girl? Yet^ 
how can I shield her father and perform my sworn 
duty? ” 

He fell into a chair and leaned his head upon the 
table, the tears forcing their way to his eyes which 
had not known that luxury for many years. 


204 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


Mr. Chilton/’ said a voice at his side. 

He started up Avith an exclamation of mingled 
surprise and anguish. Sallie! ” he said. Sallie! ” 
Yes/’ said Sallie, for it was she. Yes, it is 
Sallie.” Her face was pale and drawn, her eyes red 
with weeping. 

Mr. Chilton,” she said, “ I knoAV what brings 
you here, I know what the result is. I know that it 
was not duty of your own seeking, for I have just 
heard your words. I know Avhat you, perhaps, do 
not know, how my father was entrapped in this terri¬ 
ble situation by a man who was Avilling to ruin him 
for a few dollars which he could thus get. I know 
that that empty letter Avhich you hold in your hand 
would consign him to imprisonment and disgrace. 
Let him restore the money taken, but spare my father, 
I beg of you.” 

Mr. Chilton looked at her in amazement; a strange 
sensation came over him. The letter cases and mail 
sacks in the car seemed to be whirling about him, and 
he caught hold of his chair to save himself from fall¬ 
ing. Then he heard the rush of the engine and the 
clang of the bell, and the conductor calling out at the 
door, Everybody out of this car. It leaves for the 
East in one minute.” 


CHAPTEE XV. 


The shock to Mr. Chilton when he found that the 
robbery of the registered letter had occurred in Post¬ 
master Dennison’s office was intensified by the words 
spoken by Sallie. That they were truthful he had not 
the slightest doubt, but how he could comply with her 
appeal in behalf of her father was more than he could 
see. But the matter could not be decided in a mo¬ 
ment. Hastily stepping from the car he gave her his 
hand and assisted her to alight just as the train began 
to move. 

Let us go to the post office, Miss Sallie,” said he, 
we can not talk in detail of this matter here, and 
it is too grave in its every aspect to determine at once.” 

They turned their faces toward the post office. 
Xot a word was spoken as they passed over the con¬ 
siderable distance between the railroad and the office. 
Mr. Chilton’s thoughts were busy. Xever in his of¬ 
ficial life had he been confronted with such a situation. 
His usually keen and alert mind seemed benumbed 
by the shock. He found himself absolutely unable 
to control his thoughts in a way to enable him to ar¬ 
rive at a satisfactory conclusion. 

As they neared the office Miss Dennison laid her 
hand upon his arm. Mr. Chilton,” she said in an 


206 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


earnest tone, you are not going to arrest my father, 
are you? ’’ 

Mr. Chilton stopped. His eyes were on the ground, 
and he seemed puzzled as to what his answer should 
he; then his hand went up to his right ear in that 
peculiar movement, already so frequently noted. This 
seemed to clear away the haze before his mind. 

Can you promise me, Sallie,’’ he said, forgetting 
in his earnestness the customary title by which he usu¬ 
ally addressed her—can you promise meihat he will 
not attempt to leave here in case I do not take any 
public step in this matter at present? 

Yes,’’ she replied promptly, I can and do prom¬ 
ise you that. My father will take no steps in this mat¬ 
ter without consulting me, and I promise you that he 
will be as safe here as though under lock and key. 
You can trust my promise, can you not, Mr. Chilton? ” 

He extended his hand quickly. Yes,” he said, 
as he took hers for a moment only. I accept your 
promise in his behalf and will take no further steps at 
present. I must have time to think of all these 
things.” 

He turned abruptly and left her. Sallie watched 
him as he passed up the street, which led to the open 
country. His head was bowed; he was evidently lost 
in thought. Again and again his hand went up to 
his right ear, and each time his step seemed to mo¬ 
mentarily quicken. Soon he disappeared around a 
bend in the road and she entered the post office. 

Mr. Chilton walked on still lost in thought. Soon 
he heard the step of a horse in the road behind him, 
t)ut still paid no attention. The road was narrow at 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


207 


that point, little more than a bridle path, and Mr. 
Chilton’s occupancy of it made the passage of the 
horse somewhat difficult. 

Make way for the United States mail,” said a 
voice behind him. 

He turned quickly and looking up at the rider 
he recognized John Endicott, the mail carrier, who 
had given him the facts about Postmaster Dennison 
and his mysterious visitors. 

What brings you here, John,” he said. 

AUhy, I am just on my way back to the other 
end of the route, Mr. Inspector,” he replied. You 
know I go over it and back every day. I am hurry¬ 
ing home because I want to tell my wife all the things 
you told me about what that census chap was really 
up to and what a fine country the census shows that 
we have got. And then about the way the Government 
is run, how well off this country really is, and how 
much better off we are than the people of other coun¬ 
tries.” 

All right, my friend,” said Mr. Chilton, grow¬ 
ing rather tired of John’s interruption of his train of 
thought, and fearing lest he should ask about his dis¬ 
coveries regarding the registered letters. All right, 
my friend, good night.” 

Excuse me, Mr. Inspector,” said John, dismount¬ 
ing and throwing the rein over the saddle, but I 
wanted to ask you a question or two about some things 
that you said when we were talking. You said that 
the Government collects and pays out about a million 
dollars every day. I’d like to know where it all comes 
from and where it all goes, if you can tell me.” 


208 


UXCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


Mr. Chilton was vexed. He did not feel like be¬ 
ing interrupted in his effort to think out this difficult 
problem. Yet this man was evidently thirsting for 
information of a legitimate character. Besides, it oc¬ 
curred to him if he should take his thoughts entirely 
off this troublesome problem for a little while and then 
return to it his mind might be clearer. 

Where does the million dollars collected and paid 
out every day come from and go, you ask? ” said Mr. 
Chilton, throwing himself upon the ground at the 
roadside. Well, I’ll tell you in a general way. Of 
course, I can’t go much into detail, and if I should 
you wouldn’t remember it. To begin with, I don’t 
mean that the amount is just $1,000,000 every day, 
but it ranges about that—sometimes a little more, 
sometimes a little less. The ordinary receipts of the 
Government range from $350,000,000 to $400,000,- 
000 a year, so an easy way to remember it is to call 
it $1,000,000 a day on an average. This does not in¬ 
clude the postal receipts, which are not usually in¬ 
cluded in the statement of receipts, as they just about 
equal the expenditures of the department and are kept 
in a separate account.” 

But where does the Government get this million 
dollars a day? ” said John. I never have to pay any 
tax to the Government that I know of, and never heard 
of anybody else doing it. We pay county and State 
taxes, but I supposed that this went to keep up the 
schools, pay the State officers, and things like that.” 

So it does. You are right in saying that you 
don’t know when you pay any tax to the Government. 
The taxes which the Government collects are levied 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


209 


in such a manner that the people do not know when 
they are being collected.’’ 

Then how does the Government get this tax 
if we don’t know when we pay it? ” 

Because it levies the tax on things we use and 
collects them from the people who manufacture the 
goods and from those who bring goods into the country 
from abroad.” 

So this tax is paid upon all the articles which 
are brought into the country? ” 

N^o; many of the articles which can not be pro¬ 
duced in this country come in free from any tax. 
Among these are tea, coffee, and other things of that 
kind. Then there are some other things that are need¬ 
ed for use in manufacturing articles in this country 
which come in free. Raw silk and many articles of that 
kind, which can not be produced in this country, but 
are needed by the manufacturers to run their mills 
and give employment to our people and cheaper goods 
to consumers, are not taxed when they come into this 
country.” 

Is all the million dollars a day raised by the 
taxing of goods that come in from abroad? ” 

^^1^0, about one half is raised by what is known 
as the internal revenue tax. That is the tax on whis¬ 
ky, tobacco, cigars, and things of that kind which 
people are not compelled to use unless they desire to. 
About one half of the million dollars a day comes 
from the internal revenue tax, and the other half 
comes from taxes on goods brought in from abroad 
and commonly known as the tariff.” 

You have told me what articles the half million 


210 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


dollars a day of internal revenue tax is raised upon, 
and also what kind of goods come in free from abroad, 
but you have not said what kind of articles the tariff 
tax is collected upon/’ 

There are hundreds of them, but the bulk of the 
tariff tax, or duty, as it is called, is collected on sugar, 
manufactured cotton and linen and woolen goods, 
manufactures of iron and steel, and glass, and leather, 
and wood; such articles, in fact, as our own manufac¬ 
turers and workmen can make. You see the tax is 
levied upon the class of foreign goods which come 
into competition with those made by our own manu¬ 
facturers. In that way it gives our own manufactur¬ 
ers and their workmen a better chance to have the 
market of their own country, with less competition 
from abroad.” 

Thank you,” said John. Yow I understand 
about Avhere the money comes from, but I should like 
to know Avhere it all goes. A million dollars a day 
is a big lot.” 

There are a great many ways for it to go,” an¬ 
swered Mr. Chilton, for this is a very big country. 
There are over a quarter of a million officeholders to 
be paid. The army and navy each cost about $25,- 
000,000 a year, the improvements of rivers and har¬ 
bors about $20,000,000 a year; the running of Con¬ 
gress to make laws, the departments to execute them, 
aiid the courts to enforce them cost many millions of 
dollars annually. But the heaviest single expendi¬ 
ture of money now is the payment of pensions to sol¬ 
diers of the late war, which amounts to about $130,- 
000,000 per annum.” 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


211 


There is one other thing I wanted to ask yon 
about, and that is the new election law, which is some¬ 
thing of a mystery to me.’’ 

The election law? ” said Mr. Chilton absently. 

Yes; this Austrian election, or whatever is the 
name of it. My son said it was called the Australian 
election law, but I told him I guessed we Americans 
wouldn’t have to go to a new country like Australia 
to learn how to vote.” 

Your son was right,” said Mr. Chilton, making 
an effort to shake off the depression which still hung 
over him, it is the Australian ballot.” 

M^hy in the world do we want to go to such a 
backwoods country as Australia to learn how to vote? 
Seems to me this country has been voting long- 
enough to know how to manage its own elections.” 

That’s the trouble, John; we have been voting 
so long that a few unscrupulous people learned to 
manage to suit the elections to themselves, and to pre¬ 
vent the will of the people prevailing at the polls. It 
happened that the Australians developed a system 
which prevents that, and in a comparatively few years 
it has spread all over the civilized world.” 

That’s curious,” said the carrier, still apparently 
puzzled and honestly seeking information. “ Why, 
they say the ticket is as big as a newspaper, and they 
shut a fellow up in a box so that nobody can see him 
vote.” 

You seem to be pretty well informed as to 
this feature of it at least,” said Mr. Chilton with a 
smile. 

But I don’t understand why it is better to give 


212 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


a fellow a ticket as big as a blanket and sliut him up 
in a box to vote.’’ 

Because by doing so you give every man a 
chance to vote exactly as he desires, and thus get the 
will of the people expressed at the polls. You see, 
as things have been going on here and in other coun¬ 
tries, elections had come to be controlled in many 
cases by force, or fraud, or corruption. In some sec¬ 
tions of this country the voters were kept away from 
the polls by fear of violence, or their votes were nulli¬ 
fied by stuffing the ballot boxes with ballots printed 
on such thin paper that a man could put in twenty 
or fifty at once. In other sections employes were 
expected to vote as their employers desired them, or 
be in danger of losing their positions. In other cases 
men were bribed to vote a certain ticket, and the 
man who bribed them went to the polls with them 
to see that they voted the ticket furnished them.” 

“ That was a bad state of affairs,” said John, as 
he sat down on the grass again. 

Yes,” said Mr. Chilton, and it was even worse 
in other countries than this. In England, for in¬ 
stance, elections had been notoriously corrupt for 
many years prior to the adoption of the Australian 
system.” 

But how does this new law prevent it? ” 

Eirst, by giving the voters an official ticket, or 
ballot, with the names of all the candidates of all 
parties on it, and allowing no other ticket to be used. 
Formerly, while the law has prescribed the size and 
shape of the ticket, it did not provide the tickets them¬ 
selves. So each party or candidate provided tickets 


UNCLE SAAI’S SECRETS. 


213 


with whatever names on it he might choose, and often 
the voters were deceived by being given tickets which 
were not what they supposed them to be in every 
particular. In the Australian system the State au¬ 
thorities furnish one ticket, or ballot, with the names of 
all the candidates on it, and the voter goes into a pri¬ 
vate apartment and checks the names of the men for 
whom he wants to vote, and folding his ticket so that 
nobody can see it comes out of the private apartment 
and, handing it to the officers of election, sees it 
placed into the ballot box. This assures both ac¬ 
curacy and secrecy.’’ 

But are not many mistakes likely to occur witli 
this big ballot? ” 

Experience with it shows that the percentage of 
mistakes is much less than with the old system, and 
that the frauds practiced upon the voters under the 
old system have almost entirely disappeared.” 

That’s good,” said the carrier, evidently gaining 
confidence in the new method. But I don’t quite 
understand yet why they should be so secret about 
it, and shut men up in a box while they are fixing 
their ticket and voting it.” 

Because, by doing that, those who once felt com¬ 
pelled to vote as their employers or political bosses 
desired are now able to exercise their own judgment 
and wishes absolutely independent of anybody’s dic¬ 
tation, for nobody can know how they vote. Hobody 
but the officers of the election are permitted to have 
or furnish the tickets to the voters, and they get them 
after they go inside the voting booth and mark them 
in secret to suit themselves. So nobody can march 


214 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


them up to the polls and see that they vote tickets 
which have been fixed up and given them for the 
purpose/’ 

I don’t see yet how it prevents the purchase of 
votes by people who are willing to pay for them.” 

Simply because the man who will sell his vote, 
or promise to sell it, is mean enough to fail to carry 
out his agreement if he is not watched until he places 
his ticket in the ballot box. The men who buy votes 
know that perfectly well, and the moment you place 
the voter in a position where they can not see how 
he prepares his ticket and votes it, they are unwilling 
to trust him, and therefore do not try to buy his 
vote.” 

That’s pretty good,” said the carrier, with a 
laugh. ‘‘ Them Australian fellows must have been 
pretty ’cute after all to think of all these things. And 
you say this system is being used■ generally now? ” 

Yes; the law was devised and put into operation 
in Australia in 1858, and worked so well that Eng¬ 
land adopted it in 1872, being quickly followed by 
other European countries and by Canada. It was 
first tried in this country in Louisville, Ky., in 1888, 
and was in the same year adopted by the Massachu¬ 
setts authorities and put in operation in 1889. By 
the end of that year a dozen more States had adopted 
it, and now it is in use in a more or less modified form 
in nearly every State in the Union.” 

One other thing, if you please: I hear so much 
talk about registration of voters; I don’t understand 
it.” 

!Eaturally enough; because your State, West 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 215 

Virginia, and one other, Arkansas, prohibit registra¬ 
tion by the Constitution. The system of registration 
of intended voters at a given period before the elec¬ 
tion is, however, in use in all other States except 
Oregon, though in many of them it only applies to 
the cities. The object of it is to prevent fraud and 
make it possible for persons to determine whether 
men who announce that they are going to vote are 
entitled to do so. I said ^ men,’ ” said Mr. Chilton, 
correcting himself. I ought to have said ^ men and 
women,’ for women vote now in so many States that 
they are entitled to be named in this connection.” 

Do they really? ” said the carrier, emphasizing 
his interest by getting up. Do women really 
vote? ” 

Certainly,” said Mr. Chilton, with a look of 
quiet amusement. Women are entitled to vote for 
all officers, including Congressmen and President, in 
Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado, and to hold office, too, 
for there are women members of the Legislature in 
Colorado. Then women are entitled by law to vote in 
election for school officers, and on questions of taxation 
and other matters of this sort in twenty-five States 
now, and the number is steadily increasing.” 

Thank you, Mr. Inspector,” said John, bowing; 
hope I haven’t taken too much of your valuable 
time; it ain’t often we get a chance to talk with a 
learned man, you know, and I wanted to know about 
this new-fangled election law. I didn’t like it much 
at first, but I guess it’s a pretty good thing, after 
all.” 

Yes,” said Mr. Chilton, we are making prog- 


216 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


ress. Our grandfathers, you know, voted without 
tickets at all, and in a way that everybody could know 
about it. Then came the unofficial ticket and a pre¬ 
tense of secrecy, which opened the door to fraud; and 
now we have an officially correct ballot and absolute 
secrecy.” 

I don’t understand about our grandfathers vot¬ 
ing without tickets.” 

In the early elections in this country,” said Mr. 
Chilton, the people used to go to the voting places 
and simply announce to the officers of the election the 
names of the men for whom they voted. If there 
were tickets at all they were not placed in any ballot, 
but used for convenience for calling off the names 
of the persons for whom the individual wished to 
vote. The officers of the election kept tally, marking 
down on a sheet of paper the number of votes cast for 
each candidate. This crude system, of course, gave 
no opportunity for secrecy, and gave way to printed 
tickets, about the time of the Kevolutionary War, in 
many States, but remained much longer in use in 
others. Pennsylvania and New Jersey adopted the 
ballot instead of viva voce voting in 1776, and New 
York adopted it in 1778. The viva voce system was 
followed much longer in the South, the last State to 
dispense with it being Kentucky, which retained it 
until a few years ago.” 

Mr. Chilton’s manner had gradually changed dur¬ 
ing the conversation, for the change in the subject had 
proved a relief for him. He had been under an in¬ 
tense strain during all the time in which he was at 
work upon the case which had resulted disadvan- 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


217 


tageoiisly to Sallie^s father. The relief which this 
change in his thoughts had brought was gratifying, 
though temporary. ^7ow the painful duties before 
him again flashed across his mind as he ended his 
talk about the collection and disbursements of the Gov¬ 
ernment. 

Do you think, John,’’ he said, that this Mr. 
Anderson, or Addison, or whatever may be the name 
of the slick-looking man who led Postmaster Dennison 
into that game, will be here again? ” 

I shouldn’t wonder,” said the mail carrier, with 
a grin, for he invited me to come round to-night. 
Guess he knew I’d just drawn a month’s wages.” 

So he is coming to-night to play again, is he? ” 
said Mr. Chilton with renewed interest. 

Yes,” said John, I suppose so.” 

What pretty berries,” said Mr. Chilton, as he 
pulled a couple of purple berries from a bush which 
grew just beside him. 

Yes,” said John, but you’ll have a time to get 
that stain off your fingers. They’re the strongest dye 
berries I ever saw, and if you get it on your hands you 
will leave the prints of your fingers wherever you 
touch anything.” 

Mr. Chilton looked at his hands with an expression 
of disgust. Sure enough they were stained a deep 
purple. He tore a leaf from his notebook and at¬ 
tempted to remove the stain, but without success. 
Suddenly a new thought seemed to strike him. He 
took the notebook from his pocket again and applied 
his stained thumb to a blank sheet. As he withdrew 
it he left a perfect print of the lines of the thumb 


218 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


upon it. He applied it again and again, as though 
it amused him, every time leaving a perfect impression 
upon the paper, showing every one of the fine lines 
or capillary ridges of the thumb, which students 
of the difficult sciences have so much studied of late. 
Then he put his notebook in his pocket again and was 
lost in thought. 

When he looked up again the mail carrier was 
nowhere to be seen; the patient horse was waiting, 
however, and Mr. Chilton argued that Endicott had 
not gone'far. Directly he came back bringing a hand¬ 
ful of leaves. 

Here’s some leaves,” said he, that will take 
the stain off your fingers. They’re about the only 
thing that will take it off, and they are pretty hard 
to find, too.” 

Thank you, John,” said Mr. Chilton, rubbing 
his stained fingers with the leaves. Yes, they do it 
nicely; how convenient that is.” 

Then Mr. Chilton lapsed into silence again. I 
want to make you a proposition, John,” he said. 

You have helped me in my matters, and I will 
make it an object to you to help me a little further.” 

All right, Mr. Inspector,” said John slowly; 
you represent the Government, and I am employed 
by the Government. I’ll do anything you want me 
to.” 

Then just exchange clothes with me for a little 
while,” said Mr. Chilton. Let me have your horse 
and mail sack and those dark glasses that you wear, 
and keep out of sight yourself for a few hours. Meet 
me here at midnight and there will be an extra month’s 


UXCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


219 


salary for you. But mind, not a word of this to any¬ 
body, or you’ll lose your job and get into trouble be¬ 
sides.” 

Honor bright, Mr. Inspector; do you mean it? ” 
said John, with wide open eyes. Extra month and 
all that?” 

Yes,” said Mr. Chilton. I guess your clothes 
will just fit me. I think I would like to play mail 
carrier for a little while. You can depend upon an 
extra month’s wages at midnight.” 

In a few minutes Mr. Chilton was dressed in the 
mail carrier’s costume, and, with the dark glasses that 
John wore, the slouch hat pulled over his eyes, and 
trousers stuck in the big boots, would have readily 
passed for the mail carrier, especially to any one not 
acquainted with him. 

Pick me a few of those berries, John,” said Mr. 
Chilton, and put them in this empty cigar case.” 

What—the dye berries? ” said John. 

Yes,” said Mr. Chilton. 

Just about dark the mail carrier’s horse drew up 
in front of the post ofiice. 

^Mlello, John!” said Mr. Dennison. ‘WMu are 
back early.” 

Yes,” said the rider of the horse; got my wages 
to-day and thought I’d come round to-night and have 
a little fun. Mr. Anderson, or whatever his name is, 
asked me to come and join you in a friendly game. 
I will be with you shortly, Mr. Dennison.” 

Postmaster Dennison looked troubled. Don’t 
speak so loud, John,” he said in a low tone and coming 
nearer. He asked you to join us, you say.” 


220 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


Yes, I suppose lie knew that I was on to 
the game, and since my wages has come would like 
to he in it. That’s all right, Mr. Dennison, you 
need not he alarmed; I ain’t going to give you 
away.” 

An hour later the door of the post office was closed 
tightly, and so were the shutters; the mail carrier’s 
horse stood on the opposite side of the street, hut the 
rider was inside. The few people who passed up and 
down the lonely street wondered what was keeping 
Postmaster Dennison and the mail carrier so long in 
the post office, for they saw the horse waiting impa¬ 
tiently at the hitching-post and discerned a ray of 
light stealing under the door of the tightly closed 
post office. 

Just before midnight the door opened and three 
men came out—one was Postmaster Dennison, one was 
a slender young man, with a light mustache and pale 
face, the third, wearing a slouch hat, dark glasses, 
and heavy hoots, passed quickly to the horse on the 
other side of the street and mounted. 

Good night, Mr. Dennison,” he said, and good 
night, Mr. Addison.” 

The slender young man with the light mustache 
and pale face looked quickly around. Then he 
laughed and said: All right, John; come around 
when you draw your salary for next month; you will 
have better luck next time.” 

Yes, I think I will try it again,” said the carrier 
as he disappeared up the road with the horse and mail 
bag. 

A few minutes later the horse stopped at the ap- 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


221 


pointed place and found its weary master anxiously 
v/aiting. 

iN'ow we’ll exchange clothes, John,” said the 
rider as he sprang to the ground. Here’s your 
extra month’s salary. How I want you to take this 
note and give it to Miss Dennison early in the morn¬ 
ing. But mind, not a word of this to anybody or off 
goes your head.” 

Hot a word, Mr. Inspector,” said John, pocket¬ 
ing the extra month’s pay. This is better than 
though I had been in the game myself.” 

Yes, I think it is better,” said Mr. Chilton sig¬ 
nificantly as he turned to go. 

When the one o’clock train for AYashington passed 
Postmaster Dennison’s office, Mr. Chilton, clad in his 
own well-fitting business suit, clambered on board, 
ensconced himself in a quiet corner, and drew from his 
pocket a pack of cards and a torn registered envelope. 
On the cards were the marks of the slender thumb 
printed in purple. The color was the same as that 
printed in Mr. Chilton’s notebook, but it was not the 
same thumb. 


CHAPTEE XYI. 


Dan and his uncle when they left the hospital 
in Philadelphia were driven directly to the train which 
was nearly ready to leave for Washington. While 
Mr. Patterson had not yet fully recovered, he had 
gained strength and courage rapidly, and the fact 
that Dan was again with him added greatly to his 
prospects of early recovery. Indeed, there had been 
no development since his return to consciousness which 
had proved so beneficial to him as the announcement that 
Dan was at liberty, and that they could together turn 
their faces toward Washington. The surgeons at the 
hospital who had reluctantly assented to Mr. Patter- 
son^s request to go to Washington were surprised at 
the change which came over him when his nephew 
appeared, and from that moment felt assured that he 
was on the road to recovery. 

Yet there was a mystery about the whole matter 
which Mr. Patterson had been unable to penetrate. 
Mr. Haliday had not been able tq explain all of it 
in the few moments which he had for a conversation 
with Mr. Patterson. Besides, he had thought it bet¬ 
ter for that gentleman in his enfeebled condition to 
be merely given to understand that Dan’s troubles 
were practically over. Mr. Chilton had been as usual 
reticent, especially in the company of others, and 
222 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


223 


while Mr. Patterson believed that he would talk freely 
to him had he been alone, he was obliged to leave for 
the depot with no definite information from either 
Mr. Chilton or Mr. Haliday. So he waited patiently 
for the train to pull out that he might have a quiet 
talk with Dan about the situation, for the crowded 
depot was scarcely a proper place to discuss delicate 
matters of that kind. 

Xow, tell me all about what has happened since I 
left you in the station house to make my run to AYash- 
ington,’’ said Mr. Patterson, as they were comfortably 
ensconced in a parlor car, with tickets which Mr. Hali- 
day had insisted on presenting them on their de¬ 
parture. 

Dan’s eyes had been busy since he had entered 
the car. He had never seen anything so magnifi¬ 
cent. He had often seen the long, heavy parlor cars 
and sleepers at the station near his home, but the 
stony stare of the brass-buttoned porters who stood at 
the door of the cars while the passengers were at din¬ 
ner had driven out of his mind any ambition that he 
might have had to see the inside. He had occasion¬ 
ally managed to catch a glimpse of the interior by 
climbing on the steps of the other cars, but he had 
never before been inside one, nor had he in the wildest 
flights of his imagination supposed that he ever should 
enjoy the luxury of riding in one of them. So it was 
with considerable effort that Mr. Patterson was able 
to get his attention. 

I beg your pardon, uncle,” said Dan; I was so 
much interested in the things I see about me that I 
hardly understood you.” 


224 : 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


Mr. Patterson repeated his request for the story 
of what had happened in the eventful days since he 
hade him adieu in the station house and hurried to 
what came so near being his last experience on earth. 

It seems like a month, or, indeed, many months 
since that dreadful event. I have been scarcely able 
to think of it in detail, for I have been so weak that 
I dare not trust myself to discuss it, or even to let my 
mind rest upon it. But now that you are with 
me again I think we can trust ourselves to talk 
of the events of the night so full of dangers to both 
of us.’’ 

And I am sure, uncle,” said Dan, that we are 
thankful to that Power which has brought us safely 
through the troubles of that night.” 

Yes,”.answered Mr. Patterson solemnly, ^Sve 
have good reason to be thankful, for it was a narrow 
escape from a horrible death. Poor Dennison; I hear 
that he was found with your valise in his hand. I 
had just told him of the importance of the valise and 
its contents, and the fact that you would not be with 
me on the trip, and I supposed that he remembered 
that Mr. Addison had apparently been anxious to get 
possession of it, and when the crush came his first 
thought was to try to take care of it. But tell me, 
did you get the valise all right? ” 

Yes,” said Dan. Mr. Chilton brought it to 
me. Mr. Haliday said that somebody took it out of 
tlie baggage master’s hand and then disappeared, but 
Mr. Chilton seems to have found it in some way. He 
said that it looked as though it had been opened by 
somebody, but everything seemed all right. Of course, 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 225 

tlie tilings were tumbled about, but tlie package of 
bills was tliered’ 

Mr. Patterson looked anxious when Dan detailed 
the history of the valise, but said nothing. But 
you have not told me how the trouble about the die 
turned out,’’ he said, evidently hesitating to ask about 
it. 

I hardly know what to say about that,” replied 
Dan. I don’t quite understand it myself. I remained 
in the cell for several days, and finally a gentleman 
came in, saying he had been appointed to act as my 
counsel. Colonel Ransecker was his name. When the 
case came to trial the officer told about finding the die in 
my pocket, and then he brought out all my notes that 
I had made from things that Mr. Haliday had told 
me about the history of the metallic and paper cur¬ 
rency of the country, and tried to make the judge be¬ 
lieve that I had gotten them for use in counterfeiting. 
I think he was inclined to believe it, for I suppose he 
was about to pass sentence upon me, when somebody 
whom I had never seen before, and whose name I do 
not even yet know, came hurriedly in and asked a de¬ 
lay in my case. It looked, uncle, as though Provi¬ 
dence had sent him at that moment.” 

Dan paused in his recital. The memory of those 
days and hours of suffering and anxiety in his cell, 
and the scenes of the court room, made it impossible 
for him to proceed for the moment. Mr. Patterson 
was also moved, for he realized how this inexperienced 
young man, alone in a great city, with such a charge 
hanging over him, must have suffered, and he was 
not surprised at the emotion which these recollections 


226 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


awakened. Dan was about to proceed when a deep 
voice at his side said: 

Isn’t this Mr. Patterson?” 

He turned and saw a military looking man of 
about fifty, with bronzed and bearded face, addressing 
his uncle. 

Why, Lieutenant AVetherall! ” said Mr. Patter¬ 
son, shaking the gentleman’s hand heartily, I’m glad 
to see you. Yes,” he added, “ I am the same Patter¬ 
son, though I don’t wonder that you scarcely know 
me, for I am just recovering from the effects of an 
accident.” 

Then he introduced Dan, and invited the lieu¬ 
tenant to a seat beside them. The conversation which 
followed developed the fact that Lieutenant AVetherall 
was an officer of the United States navy, just return¬ 
ing from a tour of inspection upon some vessels being 
built for the navy at some of the various shipyards 
which line the Atlantic coast from the mouth of the 
Potomac northward. 

I wish we could have had an opportunity to visit 
the shipbuilding yards in Philadelphia,” said Mr. Pat¬ 
terson to Dan as the conversation progressed, “ so that 
you could see how our great war vessels are built. It 
is very interesting and very instructive, as well as 
very creditable to our country, for we can do as good 
work as anybody in the world in the building of war 
ships and guns—can we not, lieutenant? ” 

Yes,” replied the lieutenant, I see no reason 
to be ashamed of our navy, or the progress we have 
made in the construction of modern war vessels, in 
comparison with other nations of the world.” 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


227 


But I thought/’ said Dan, who had found the 
lieutenant addressing his remarks as much to him as 
to his uncle, that our navy was away behind that of 
other nations. That is what we are always hearing 
and reading about it.” 

It is a fact,” said the lieutenant, that we yet 
stand fifth in the list of naval powers of the world, 
but that relates mostly to the number of vessels. The 
modern war vessels which we have built are not in¬ 
ferior to those of any other country. Indeed, we 
have reason to believe that in the building and arming 
of vessels we lead the world.” 

Dan’s face must have been an index to his 
thoughts, for the lieutenant smiled as he looked at 
him. 

I see that you are surprised,” he said. Well, 
it is not remarkable that you are, for our navy until 
within a few years was a byword and really a reproach 
to us. By this I mean our navy as it existed from 
the war of the rebellion until the beginning of the last 
decade. Prior to that period of inactivity we had no 
reason to be ashamed of our navy. Indeed, on every 
occasion in which we have needed one it has been 
equal to the requirements and a credit to us as a na¬ 
tion.” 

Excuse me if I did appear surprised,” said Dan, 
for it does sound a little curious to those of us who 
know so little about the navy.” 

In fact,” continued the lieutenant, this coun¬ 
try has great reason to be proud of its navy, both mod¬ 
ern and that which has passed into history. The 
creation of national navies was simultaneous with the 


228 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


discovery of America. When our Revolutionary War 
came on onr weak and inexperienced country built a 
navy which astonished the world in its achievements. 

' Ships were built and armed, others purchased and 
arms put on board, and within a year we had a navy 
of 26 vessels, mounting 536 guns. Others were added, 
and the American navy did splendid work in that 
war. In our war with Tripoli a few years later 
our war vessels became famous, and the victories 
of our navy during the war of 1812 form a page 
in our history of which every American should 
be proud.’’ 

It was evident that the lieutenant was thoroughly 
in. love with his subject, the one to which l^e was de¬ 
voting his life work. 

From the war of 1812,” he continued, we had 
little occasion to test our naval ability. AYhen the 
rebellion broke out it was found that of the ninety ves¬ 
sels of all sorts in the navy, only one half were fit for 
war service, and most of these were at different parts of 
the world, while most of our naval officers of experi¬ 
ence resigned to take positions on the side of the South. 
Yet a navy was quickly created by purchasing and 
arming merchant vessels and building war ships as 
fast as possible. During the four years of the war 
over 200 vessels were built and over 400 purchased 
and converted into war purposes.” 

But these vessels are not of much value now, 
are they? ” 

jSTo, the navy was neglected again after the war 
until 1881, when a R^aval Advisory Board reported in 
favor of the construction of a modern navy, and Con- 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


229 


gress appropriated money to begin the work. This work 
has been continued year by year, until now we have 
the fastest cruisers in the world, the best armor plate 
in the world, as good guns and torpedoes as any nation 
can boast, and a number of war ships that are not ex¬ 
celled by those of any other nation.’’ 

That is saying a good deal for our manufactur¬ 
ers and inventors, as well as our workmen, is it not? ” 
said Mr. Patterson, whose look of pride in this state¬ 
ment showed how thoroughly American he was in 
every instinct. 

Yes, in view of the fact that we had to look to 
other countries for armor, torpedoes, and material for 
cannon when we began building the new navy.” 

Will you tell me, lieutenant,” said Dan, about 
the armor of vessels, and how it is that vessels which 
are made entirely of iron or steel can be made to 
float? I should think that they would sink because 
iron is so heavy. 

If you will take a tin pan,” said the lieutenant 
with a smile, and attempt to sink it in water you 
will see how a vessel made entirely of iron will float 
and carry a big load besides. A steel vessel of a given 
size will carry more than a wooden vessel of the same 
size. Of course, the vessel itself is made of com¬ 
paratively thin plates, and only the vital parts exposed 
to attack are protected by armor.” 

How thick is this armor, and where and how is 
it put on? ” 

There is usually a belt of it partly around the 
vessel; then the cannon on the deck are protected by 
very heavy armor. Some are in steel turrets which 


230 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


revolve so that the guns can be aimed at any point, 
while others are protected by heavy shields of steel. 
Then the ^ conning tower ’ is also of very heavy steel 
plates. 

What is the ^ conning tower ^ said Dan, who 
had found this an entirely new term to him. 

It is a steel tower that occupies about the same 
position that the pilot house does on the ordinary ves¬ 
sel. It is for the protection of the commanding offi¬ 
cer and the pilots while the fighting is going on. Its 
walls are of solid steel from five to twelve inches in 
thickness, and there are narrow slots or openings near 
the top through which the commanding officer can see 
what is going on about him without so much danger 
of being struck by the storm of lead and iron which 
falls upon the deck of a vessel from the guns of the 
enemy during a battle.’’ 

But you have not indicated the thickness of the 
armor generally.” 

“ It ranges from 10 to 24 inches in thickness. 
Very little armor as thick as 24 inches has been used, 
but a great deal from 12 to 16 inches. The tendency 
now is to make the armor harder and thus reduce the 
thickness.” 

And American armor, you say, is the best in 
the world? ” 

Yes; it has been found that by mixing a certain 
amount of nickel with the steel it is much improved, 
and also that by hardening the surface of the plates 
and leaving the remainder softer and tougher, the 
plates are less liable to crack from the blow of the 
great shots which strike them. In this way the 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 231 

American armor plates have become the best in the 
world. 

So, vessels armed with American plates can not 
be penetrated by balls or shells, can they? ’’ 

The lieutenant smiled, but it was not a smile of 
confidence. Ah,’’ he said, there is where I can 
not give you a satisfactory answer. The art of gun¬ 
nery has made as rapid progress in the past decade as 
has the art of armor making. By improvements in 
great guns, powder, and projectiles, it is possible to 
pierce almost any sort of plates yet made.” 

What, shoot through steel plates fifteen inches 
thick? ” said Dan in astonishment. 

Yes, the work which modern guns will do is some¬ 
thing wonderful. The great 16-inch guns throw 
a shot 16 inches in diameter, as long as a man, and 
weighing over a ton. It takes about 800 pounds of 
powder for a single charge of these guns, and every 
shot costs over a thousand dollars. There has been a 
great change in the kind of powder used, as it has been 
found that by making it in large grains it burns more 
slowly and gives better results; the grains of powder 
used in the large cannon measure as much as an inch 
each way.” 

Grains of powder an inch square?” said Dan, 
looking sharply at the lieutenant; are you joking? ” 

Yot at all, though I don’t wonder at your ques¬ 
tion. The progress of everything relating to war¬ 
fare has been so rapid of late that few realize it in all 
its details. Our cannon will now throw a shot from 
twelve to fourteen miles; our rapid-fire guns (which 
are small cannon with several barrels) will fire hun- 


232 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


dreds of sliots in a minnte; onr Gatling guns (more 
suitable for army than navy use) can fire a thousand 
shots per minute; our smokeless powder is unexcelled; 
nur torpedoes are of the best; our vessels are supplied 
with telephonic and telegraphic communication be¬ 
tween their various parts, and even the, guns may be 
fired by electricity if desired.’’ 

A war vessel must be a pretty expensive luxury, 
lieutenant?” 

Yes; a modern war vessel costs from two to five 
million dollars, and takes from two to five years to 
build.” 

I notice, lieutenant, that you speak of battle 
ships and cruisers as though they were different ves¬ 
sels.” 

Yes; the cruiser is built for speed, and is in¬ 
tended to make war on the commercial vessels of the 
nation with which its owner is at war; the battle ships 
are to attack the cities and war ships of the enemy, 
and are more heavily armored and carry heavier guns. 
The cruiser must be able to run very fast; our best 
cruisers make over twenty-three knots an hour, and 
so can overtake most any vessel afioat.” 

What is a knot, and how does it compare with 
oilr miles ? ” 

A knot is 6,080 feet; a mile 5,280. So you see 
our fastest vessels make about twenty-six miles an 
hour.” 

Just then the train slowed up, preparatory to a stop, 
and the passengers began to move about and look at 
the long rows of brick houses among which the train 
was passing. 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


233 


Bless me! ’’ said Lieutenant Wetlierall, looking 
out of the window, here we are at Baltimore, and I 
must say good-by, for I stop here.’’ 

He was off in a minute, and the train was rushing 
along at a great rate. 

Mr. Patterson was watching the passing scenes, 
which were familiar to him. It seems good to 
be out again,” he said to himself. Then he 
turned to his nephew. You had not finished 
telling me how your case in the court ended,” he 
said. 

Yo,” said Dan, putting away a slip of paper on 
which he had been jotting down some of the wonder¬ 
ful facts that the lieutenant had told him. I don’t 
know just what to say about that. It seems that 
something that this stranger, of whom I told you, and 
Mr. Chilton said led the judge to consent to delay and 
to accept bail for me. I confess I don’t understand 
it, and I didn’t get a chance to ask about it, they hur¬ 
ried us off so fast.” 

H’m,” said Mr. Patterson, rising and pacing 
back and forward in the little space beside their seats, 
that’s curious.” 

He put his hands in his pocket, manlike, and be¬ 
gan to meditate. 

By the way,” he said, here’s a letter for you 
that Mr. Haliday gave me just as we started. He 
said somebody whose name I did not understand gave 
it to him for you.” 

A letter for me? ” said Dan, taking and turning 
it over and over again; a letter for me ? ” 

That’s what I said,” said Mr. Patterson with 
17 


234 


UxXCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


a smile. Have you seen so many letters and heard 
so much about mails since you started that you don’t 
want to see what’s inside of it? ” 

Dan laughed and hastily tore it open. 

Jimmy? ” said Mr. Patterson. 

Yes,” replied Dan; ^Mimmy Gordon. Here’s 
news from home.” 

The letter was as follows: 

Dere dan 

I take my pen in Hand to let you know that we 
are well and have been into the CAYE. It was full 
of Syalagmytes and Bats and Fishes without eyes. 
We cought a fish, also a rat & got 5 dollars apeec for 
it. professor Siloorean and Mr Canbie has been a 
livin with IJs and we have the Best Preserves every 
day. Mr Addison went to Chicago the very day you 
left for M^ashington. He has come back and told 
us all about Chicago. He brot Jennie a new 
Parasole that he bought in Chicago. He brought a 
Philadelphy Hews paper and that said that Daniel 
Patterson, a Young MYst Virginia Desperaydoe 
had been arrested for stealing a dye from the mint. 
Mother cride, and father was Excited, but Jen said 
she knew it couldn’t be you for you wouldent do such 
a thing. We are all sure it is some other Despray- 
dore. 

Dere Dan when are you coming home with the 
money. 

Jimmy. 

P. S. 

I threw a stone at a Bat and knocked down 


U^XLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


235 


a bridge in the cave and we had to climb up a rope 
and get out. It led us right into Mr. Addisons pri- 
A'ate office that he never lets anybody go into. We 
found a Beantifil young Lady in the cave; she had 
fell down through the floor of Mr Addisons Office. 


CHAPTEE XYII. 


It does not often happen that a country boy^s letter 
about family alfairs and neighborhood gossip stirs up 
the excitement and develops the mystery that did 
Jimmy’s when read by Dan and his uncle. The name 
of Prof. Silurian and Mr. Canhy, which were en¬ 
tirely new to them, attracted little notice, but when 
that portion of the letter was reached which an¬ 
nounced the return of Mr. Addison from Chicago,” 
Mr. Patterson was all attention. As it detailed his 
pretended account of that city, and his production 
of the Philadelphia paper containing an account of 
Dan’s arrest, it became apparent to him that Mr. Ad¬ 
dison had been attempting to conceal his trip upon 
the train with Dan, and yet to bring him into whatever 
disgrace and suspicion he possibly might. The in¬ 
terest culminated, however, when the adventure in the 
cave was outlined by elimmy’s letter, coupled with 
the ascent from the mysterious place into Mr. Addi¬ 
son’s private office, which he never allowed anybody 
to enter.” 

What does it mean, uncle? ” said Dan, taking 
the letter and beginning to read it over again. 

That is what I was going to ask you,” said Mr. 
Patterson. What kind of a boy is Jimmy? Is he 
236 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 237 

given to romancing or telling big stories for amuse¬ 
ment? 

^^^ot at all. On tlie contrary, I have no doubt 
that every word he tells here is true. But what do 
you suppose he means about the cave? 

What cave? said Mr. Patterson absently. 1 
don’t understand what you are talking about.” 

Oh !• I forgot that you were not acquainted with 
the neighborhood,” said Dan. Then he sat down and 
with the aid of a pencil soon explained the matter as 
far as practicable, showing the entrance to the for¬ 
merly unexplored cavern and its relation to the Addi¬ 
son castle. 

But there is another matter, Dan, which seems 
to me equally important, and even more so. You see 
that Jimmy says that Mr. Addison left ^ for Chicago ’ 
the very day you left for Washington, and ^ came 
back and told all about Chicago.’ N^ow, we know 
that Mr. Addison did leave the very day you did, 
but that instead of going to Chicago he went on 
the same train that you did, and seemed particularly 
partial to your old valise which contained your ink- 
stained bills.” 

Yes, that does seem strange,” said Dan, looking 
uneasily at Mr. Patterson. 

Besides,” added Mr. Patterson, it says that he 
brought a newspaper with an account of your arrest, 
though they concluded it was ^ some other desper¬ 
ado.’ ” 

Yes,” laughed Dan. A very complimentary 
way of putting it, wasn’t it? Well, I am glad they 
reached that conclusion, for it saves them a lot of 


238 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


worry, and probably they will not know the facts until 
we are able to get the matter straightened out. Mr. 
Haliday and the others seemed to think it would be 
made all right soon.’’ 

What became of the mysterious witness and your 
counsel, Colonel Ransacker? ” 

Colonel Ransecker,” said Dan, correcting Mr. 
Patterson’s pronunciation of the name. I do not 
know. They hurried me off to the hospital so quickly 
that I was not able to understand about it. I sup¬ 
posed that Mr. Haliday would tell you all about it.” 

Probably they would have done so but for the 
haste with which the physicians bundled me off to 
Washington. And now, Dan, I have a suggestion to 
make to you. I shall not be fit for work again for 
some time. I want to go to Washington to look after 
my business and get leave of absence for a month or 
so. When that is done I’d like to go to your AVest 
Virginia home and get a good rest there, and perhaps 
we could together unravel this mystery about Mr. 
Addison’s strange movements and the story of the cave 
and the beautiful woman found in it. What do you 
say? ” 

Say? ” said Dan, his eyes brightening with pleas¬ 
ure—^^say? My dear uncle, nothing could give me 
such pleasure, and I am sure that you would be wel¬ 
come at Mr. Gordon’s home, for he was so fond of your 
brother, my father, that he has often expressed the 
wish that he could have the opportunity of seeing 
you more frequently. It would be a pleasure to 
them all, and especially so to me, for I could then have 
the satisfaction of helping to bring you back to health 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


239 


and strength after the accident, which would never 
have occurred but for my misfortunes/’ 

I don’t want you to think of it in that light,” 
said Mr. Patterson, with a suspicious trouble of the 
eyes which required a rapid tour of his pockets in 
search of a handkerchief. ‘‘ But we -will consider it 
settled then that I am to go back home with you as 
soon as you get your affairs settled, and we will to¬ 
gether try to clear up this mystery of the cave and 
Mr. Addison’s performances, which I confess I don’t 
like.” 

The train pulled into Washington as he said this. 
There was the usual bustle of porters and shouting 
hackmen, but Mr. Patterson paid no attention to this. 
Taking Dan’s arm, for he was yet quite weak, he 
walked out of the depot, nodding occasionally to an 
acquaintance. Selecting a comfortable carriage from 
the group in waiting he directed the driver to take 
them to the modest boarding house which he made his 
home while in Washington, and which was the only 
place to which he could look as home. 

You can take us past the Capitol,” he said to the 
driver, “ since it will not be much out of the way.” 

It is too late to see Congressman Jones or to see 
Congress in session,” said he to Dan, but we shall 
be able to get a look at the Capitol by moonlight.” 

The gleaming walls of the great marble building, 
so much admired by those who have traveled the 
world over, produced a profound impression on Dan, 
as the carriage stopped in front of it, and he looked 
in astonishment upon its beauties outlined in the 
bright moonlight. Then in his practical way he be- 


240 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


gan to calculate upon its size, so much in excess of any¬ 
thing he had ever seen or imagined. 

What an enormous building, uncle,^^ he said, 
and what a lot of money it must have cost! 

Yes,^^ replied Mr. Patterson, it covers with the 
new terraces about five acres of ground, and to walk 
around it once you must travel nearly half a mile. 
The cost of the building itself is about $15,000,000, 
but when you add the cost of decorations and. works of 
art in it, the total is probably double that sum. Why, 
those bronze doors you see there cost from $30,000 to 
$60,000 a piece.’^ 

But this was not all built when the city of Wash¬ 
ington was first occupied in the year ISOO, as you 
told me, was it ? 

N^o, only a small part of it was built then. The 
plan of the building originally called for two com¬ 
paratively small structures or ^ wings,’ to be connected 
by a rotunda. One of these had been completed in 
time for occupancy by Congress when it removed here 
from Philadelphia in the year 1800. The other was 
built as soon as possible, and the two connected by a 
long wooden passageway or corridor. The British 
troops used the material of which that passageway 
was built to set fire to the Capitol building in the year 
1814.” 

Did they actually set fire to this very building 
that we are now looking at? ” said Dan with renewed 
interest. 

Yes, to this very building. Very few people 
who visit the Capitol now stop to realize that within 
the very walls which surround them to-day the British 



























UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


241 


troops held a mock session of Congress and voted to set 
fire to the building. When they took possession of 
the building Admiral Cockburn assumed the Speaker’s 
chair in the hall of the House and held a mock session, 
with his troops for members. He put a motion that 
the building be fired, and it was of course carried. 
Then the troops brought books from the library, paint¬ 
ings from the walls, and lumber from the corridor, 
and heaping them up set fire to them, burning the 
interior and the roof of the two wings and the wooden 
passageway, and then passed up Pennsylvania Avenue 
to the Executive Mansion, where they repeated their 
acts of vandalism. So if the stones in these walls 
could speak they would tell the story in much better 
words and more exciting detail than I have outlined it 
to you. The fire did not damage the walls, and when 
the work of rebuilding began a couple of years later 
they were found intact, and the roof and interior re¬ 
stored. The great rotunda came a few years later, 
then the wonderful dome, then the beautiful marble 
wings, which contain the Senate chamber and hall 
of the House of Kepresentatives, and finally the marble 
terraces, which fully completed it.” 

It was during the MTar of 1812 that the British 
burned the building? ” 

Yes.” 

AYhat was that war about ? I know, of course, 
in a general way about the causes of the Revolution¬ 
ary War and the late civil war, but I do not know 
much about the other wars that this country has had.” 

Just then the carriage stopped in front of Mr, 
Patterson’s boarding house. 


242 


UNCLE SAM’S SECIIETS. 


Here we are/’ said Mr. Patterson, evidently will¬ 
ing to turn the conversation. I’m not altogether 
familiar with the war history of the country, but if 
my friend. General Shuter, is in I’ll just turn you 
over to him while I am looking after my affairs this 
evening, and he will tell you the things you want to 
know. He is a retired army officer and has the war 
history of the country at his finger ends.” 

There was a general expression of surprise and 
delight-when Mr. Patterson and his nephew entered 
the dining room a little later, for his friends had read 
of his accident, but had been unable to hear of his 
condition. And there was nobody more delighted 
than General Shuter, who grasped his hand fervently, 
and looking into his eyes told him how gratified he 
was to see him alive and on the road to recovery. 

Come up to my room, general,” said Mr. Pat¬ 
terson as the dinner was completed; “ my nephew here 
has some questions which he wants to ask you. He 
pretty nearly got me cornered with them on the way 
here, but I am sure you can help him out.” 

A few minutes later they were in Mr. Patterson’s 
room, and that gentleman had made ' his military 
friend acquainted with Dan’s desire for war history. 

I^’othing easier,” said the general. Hothing 
is easier. Our first national war occurred before 
we were a nation, so to speak. It was what 
is known as the French and Indian AVar, and 
happened before the Kevolution had united the 
colonies into a nation. The French, you know, had 
colonies in Canada and at Hew Orleans, and had con¬ 
nected them by a line of some sixty forts, stretching 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


243 


from Montreal to J^ew Orleans, having a garrison 
and a few hunters at each fort. They claimed all 
the territory west of the Alleghanies as belonging to 
the French. The English and English-speaking col¬ 
onies did not concede this, and in 1753 Governor Din- 
widdie, of Virginia, began building a fort at a point 
where Pittsburg is now located. The French drove 
his men away, completed the fort, and named it Fort 
Duquesne. This precipitated a war, in which the 
colonies took concerted action for the first time, thus 
making it a sort of national war of the British 
colonies, backed by England, against the Erench col¬ 
onies, assisted by the Indians and backed by France. 
So that the war, which lasted until 1760, really united 
the colonies as nothing ever had before, and paved the 
way for their united resistance to England fifteen 
years later.’’ 

Then the next war was the war of the Revolu¬ 
tion? ” said Dan. 

Which you know all about, eh? Well, all young 
persons must know in a general way at least about 
the history of the Revolutionary War. So we will 
pass over that one and come to the next, the War of 
1812, whose relics you saw to-night on the walls of the 
Capitol.” 

He lighted his cigar which he had forgotten to 
smoke during his talk, then he looked at his watch. 

I must make it short,” he said, for invalids 
must not be up late,” and he looked smilingly at Mr. 
Patterson. The War of 1812 grew out of the insist¬ 
ence of Great Britain upon the right to seize her for¬ 
mer citizens when she found them on our vessels and 


244 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


impress them into service in her navy. She claimed 
that a person could not absolve his alliance from a 
country without the consent of that country, and that 
although these men had removed from Great Britain 
to the United States they were still her citizens. The 
United States proclaimed the doctrine of ^ expatria¬ 
tion/ which is that a person has the right to renounce 
his citizenship in one country and become a citizen 
of another without obtaining the consent of the coun¬ 
try in which he had formerly lived. This claim the 
United States was first to announce, though nearly 
all other countries have since adopted it. These acts 
of England, coupled with her attacks upon vessels 
engaged in commerce during her war with France, 
led to a declaration of war against her by the United 
States in 1812. It was during the war which fol¬ 
lowed that the British troops made their raid into 
Washington, burning the Capitol and Executive Man¬ 
sion. The war lasted two years, and while the land 
forces were not always successful there were some bril¬ 
liant naval victories, which, coupled with Jackson’s 
great success at the battle of Uew Orleans, led to a 
cessation of hostilities and the treaty made at Ghent, 
Belgium, between commissioners of the United States 
and Great Britain, which brought peace. Great 
Britain has never since refused to recognize the doc¬ 
trine of expatriation.” 

Then does the Mexican War come next?” said 
Dan, glancing at his uncle to see if he was growing 
tired. 

The war with the Barbary States ought to be 
considered next. Most of that followed immediately 


A 







V. 


* V 




If-- 



I 


I 











.* 


«••• 


f% 



i 


%l 












£y* 




f* 






•■--r .Jt.: 




Looking down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol. 

















UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


245 


after our War of 1812—’14. You see the countries on 
the Mediterranean coast of Africa—Morocco, Algiers, 
Tunis, and Tripoli—had been in the habit of preying 
upon the commercial vessels of such countries as re-^ 
fused to pay tribute to them, and the United States 
in its early history, being too weak and too much occu¬ 
pied with other matters, had paid yearly sums to these 
countries to protect our vessels from them. Tripoli, 
having become dissatisfied in 1803, had captured one 
of our vessels, and had been thrashed for it, but after the 
War of 1812 it was found that these very countries 
to which we had been paying tribute had permitted 
English men-of-war to seize American vessels in their 
harbors, and that Algiers had actually declared war 
against us. So the navy, having attended to Great 
Britain, was sent to look after the Barbary States, and 
the lesson which Commodore Decatur gave them they 
have not forgotten yet.” 

You do not seem to let the fact that you are an 
army man detract from your praise of the navy, gen¬ 
eral,” said Mr. Patterson, as he exchanged his shoes 
for an easy pair of slippers. 

The Mexican War comes next in the list,” said 
General Shuter, gratified with the interest developed 
by his audience. It grew out of a dispute about the 
boundary line between the United States and Mexico. 
Texas, you know, was originally a part of Mexico, into 
which many people from this country had removed, 
and it declared its independence in 1836, setting up a 
government of its own. It soon afterward, however, 
applied to be admitted to the United States, and was 
so admitted in 1845. There had been a difference 


24:6 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


between Texas and Mexico as to whether the [N^euces 
River or the Rio Grande was the southern boundary, 
the Texans claiming the latter. The United States 
took up the quarrel of her newly adopted State, and 
sent an army into Mexico in 1846 and 1847, result¬ 
ing in a succession of brilliant victories over the Mexi¬ 
cans and the capture of the city of Mexico. By the 
treaty of peace which followed, Mexico ceded to the 
United States, on payment of fifteen million dollars, 
that enormous territory out of which have been formed 
California, Nevada, Utah, and most of Colorado, Ari¬ 
zona, and New Mexico.’’ 

And the next war,” said Dan, willing to hurry 
to a close on account of his uncle, was the war of the 
rebellion, from 1861 to 1865? ” 

Yes, and about that you must know the outlines 
and causes. I do not think I ought to go into that 
to-night.” 

Just one question, general,” said Dan, getting 
out his pencil and notebook. How does our army 
compare with other armies of the world ? I have been 
told that our navy, although not large, has the best 
vessels and armor and guns in the world.” 

The general shrugged his broad shoulders in a 
way that seemed to indicate that the question was not 
a pleasing one. 

Our army,” said he, “ is even smaller in propor¬ 
tion to those of other countries than is our navy. Our 
army has about 25,000 men, while the armies of the 
European countries range from 125,000 to 1,000,000. 
In European countries all young men when they reach 
a certain age are required to serve from two to five 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


247 


years in the army, except a few special classes who are 
excused. So practically all the men of those countries 
get a thorough military training, and the standing 
armies are kept at a high grade both as to efficiency 
and numbers. Great Britain has a standing army of 
137,000, Turkey 175,000, Italy 225,000, Austria- 
Hungary 350,000, France 530,000, Germany 560,- 
000, and Russia 1,100,000. Besides this they haA^e 
what they call the ^ reserA^es,’ made up of lists of men 
Avho have been trained in their early years by experi¬ 
ence in the army, from Avhich they can double or 
treble these numbers on a few days’ notice.” 

Dan’s pencil had been kept busy as the conA^ersa- 
tion Avent on, and as the general rose to go he sub¬ 
mitted the folloAAung table for his inspection: 


IVars of the United States. 


French and Indian War 
Revolutionary War . 

War of 1812 . . . 

AYar Avith Barbary States 
AYar Avith Alexico . 

AA^ar of the rebellion 


. 1754-’G0 
. 1775-’82 
. 1812-’14 
. 1815 
. 1845-’47 
. 1861-’65 


Right,” said the general, Avith a military salute, 
quite right. And noAV I Avill say good night.” And 
shaking hands Avith both he withdreAv. 

Dan was occupied Avith his table for a few mo¬ 
ments Avhen it occurred to him that his uncle Avas un¬ 
usually silent. Looking up he noted a marked change 
in his appearance. There Avas a despondent look upon 
his face and he seemed unusually pale. He seemed 




248 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


to be looking into vacancy. His lips moved as though 
speaking to himself or to some unseen person. 

I am afraid, uncle/’ said he, after watching 
him a moment, that we have tired you by this long 
talk.” 

Ho,” said Mr. Patterson, with an abstracted 
manner, not at all.” 

He still seemed depressed and silent. Dan was 
anxious to turn his thoughts to some more pleasant 
subject. I hope,” said he, that we shall soon be 
able to get through with our business here and leave 
for home, where you will get a thorough rest.” 

^^Home!” said Mr. Patterson. ^^Home! How 
good that sounds, Dan. But no, there is no home 
for me, no home for me. How thankful you ought 
to be, my boy, that you have a good home, for it 
is a terrible thing to be a homeless man, even in 
health! ” 

He buried his face in his hands as he spoke and 
was silent. 

Uncle,” said Dan, drawing his chair beside him 
and speaking gently—uncle, you have never told 
me of your life, of your own home or lack of one, for 
this I suppose is-” 

Is all the home I have. Yes, it is my only 
home, though the postal car, where there is noise and 
clatter and work to occupy my thoughts, is the home 
which I prefer to this. There I can busy myself 
with work and drive away the thoughts which come 
in times like this, when the recollection of blighted 
hopes and ambitions force themselves upon me.” 

He rose and paced the floor in silence for a few 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


249 


minutes. Then he turned the key in the door and 
sat down beside Dan. 

I have never told you the story of my early 
life and its sorrow/’ he said. I thought I would 
never tell it to anybody, but you are my nearest rela¬ 
tive, almost my only one, and I believe it will give 
me something of which my heart seems to stand in 
need—sympathy.” 

He sat silent for a moment, evidently fearing to 
trust himself to enter upon the subject. 

It is a painful story,” he said, and I must make 
it brief. Your father, who was older than myself, 
married just before the war broke out. When the 
first call for troops came we decided that there were 
others who could better go than we, for he had his 
wife to care for, and I was the sole reliance of our 
mother. I had for years known and admired a golden¬ 
haired young girl of our neighborhood, Dorothy Sher¬ 
wood, and as she grew to womanhood our friendship 
ripened to love. It was agreed that we should marry. 
The happiness of those days I shall never forget. I 
looked forward to a little home of my own, with this 
lovely young woman as my wife, who should at the 
same time be a daughter to my mother, who already 
loved her as I did. Then came misfortune. My 
mother sickened and died. A little later there was 
a second and even a third call for troops, and it did not 
seem right that I should refuse, when my country 
needed every man. It was a painful struggle for 
both of us, but the brave girl who was to be my wife 
gave me Godspeed, hoping and praying for a safe and 
early return. For a time letters were frequent and 
18 


250 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


reassuring. Then came a terrible battle, the shout of 
a cavalry charge, a stunning blow, darkness, and a 
blank. When I regained consciousness I was in a 
hospital, where, as I afterward learned, I had lingered 
between life and death for many weeks. When I 
was able to speak and collect my thoughts I asked for 
letters, but was told there was none. Weeks passed 
into months before I was able to leave the hospital, 
only to be transferred to a prisoners’ stockade. I wrote 
letters, but received none. At last I was discharged, 
and returned home only to find that the fortunes of 
war had destroyed the neighborhood. First had come 
the word that I had been killed in that mad cavalry 
charge. My name was published in the list of dead. 
AVithin a short time a battle near our house destroyed 
the post office and forced the people to flee for their 
lives. After a long search I was able to find my 
brother, your father, but he only knew that the family 
of my betrothed had taken passage on a steamer, which 
was shortly afterward sunk.” 


V 


c 

>1 



t 

t 





w * 

V ' 

« 


< 1 . 









4 ' 1 1 i>n'i c 


u 





\ \ 

*. .i • 


— 




_ > 

IS t Mmm 




The great East Room, President’s mansion. 




































CHAPTEK XYIII. 


Dan and his uncle were just completing an early 
breakfast the morning after their arrival in Washing¬ 
ton when two cards were handed them. One bore the 
name Prof. Silurian, the other that of Colonel Kan- 
secker. As they met the callers in the parlor Dan 
recognized the stranger as the gentleman who had 
interrupted the trial, and whose statements seemed to 
have caused its postponement. 

I have just called,’’ said Prof. Silurian, as he 
met them in the parlor, to pay my respects. I must 
apologize for such an early call, but I am obliged to 
leave for Eichmond at once, and hope to return to¬ 
morrow. I have spent most of the time since your 
departure at your home, having made the ac¬ 
quaintance of Mr. Gordon’s family in a manner of 
which I will tell you later. Mr. Gordon’s family are 
all well, and as soon as I can return I shall have some¬ 
thing to say which I think will be of importance in 
clearing up this Philadelphia mystery. Mr. Gordon 
has told me about the object of your visit, and I have 
myself made some discoveries which will have an im¬ 
portant bearing upon the matters which will be of 
importance to you.” 

I am glad to hear you say that, professor,” said 
Mr. Patterson, extending his hand, and I am sorry 
251 


252 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


you can not go into it now, for the whole matter is a 
mystery to us.’’ 

And must you really leave at once? ” said Dan, 
w'ho was even more anxious than Mr. Patterson for 
the facts, which he hoped might clear up, in some 
way which he did not understand, the charges against 
him. 

Yes,” said the professor, looking at his watch, 
I must leave at once, for I have a very important 
engagement in Kichmond this afternoon, and can not 
neglect it. Besides, a delay of one or two days will not 
make any difference, for certain matters have to be 
developed before the Philadelphia case can be cleared 
up, and they are now being looked after.” * 

By whom? ” said Dan anxiously. 

I really must ask you to excuse me now,” said 
the professor, evidently determined not to commit 
himself or to give any information. I should like 
to ask you one question, however, before I go.” 

AYhat is that? ” said Dan. 

Have you examined the valise and the contents 
since you received it after the accident, and satisfied 
yourself it is all right? ” 

It seems to be,” said Dan, hesitatingly, for 
Prof. Silurian was a stranger to him, and he was in 
doubt as to what he ought to say on this subject. His 
movements had been so entirely mysterious, and he 
knew so little about him, that he glanced cautiously 
at his uncle for a look of advice before replying 
further. 

Have you been to the Treasury Department yet 
to get your bills exchanged? ” 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


253 


Oil, no/’ said Mr. Patterson, we did not get 
in until after the department had closed yesterday.” 

Permit me to suggest,” said Prof. Silurian, 
again looking at his watch, that when you do go ask 
Colonel Pansecker to accompany you, and that you 
take particular notice of everything that happens. 
This may be very important.” 

Dan looked at him with a feeling of anxiety. 

What do you mean by that, professor? ” he said. 

I don’t-” 

Really, really, now,” said the professor, rushing 
toward the door, must not wait another minute; 
it would not do for me to miss my train.” 

And he was off to the depot. Arriving there he 
walked quickly to the telegraph office, and after writ¬ 
ing a message addressed it to Charles Cornelius Canby, 
Fifth Avenue Hotel, hTew York city. Then he wrote 
another, addressing it Chilton, Minersville.” Hand¬ 
ing them to the operator he sauntered to the book¬ 
stand, bought the latest magazine, and sat down with 
the air of a man who has a long wait before him. 

Train for Richmond leaves in about two hours, 
doesn’t it? ” he said to the man in uniform, who was 
shouting unintelligible announcements every few 
minutes. 

One hour and fifty-seven minutes, sir,” said the 
functionary, touching his cap. 

Thanks,” said the professor, beginning to cut the 
leaves of the magazine. 

While this was going on Colonel Ransecker had 
arranged to accompany Dan to the Capitol and aid 
him in his search for Congressman Jones. 



254: 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


I presume/’ said lie “ that Mr. Patterson, who 
has been absent from AVashington and the Post Office 
Department for some time, will be glad of an oppor¬ 
tunity to attend to his own affairs if he is able to think 
of business at all. If he is not, he ought to be resting 
rather than chasing about the city, and I shall be glad 
to assist you in finding your Congressman.” 

That is very thoughtful,” said Mr. Patterson, 
and I shall be glad to have you do so if agreeable 
to Dan.” 

A half hour later Dan and Colonel Pansecker 
were in the gallery of the House of Representatives 
and had obtained a seat. Colonel Ransecker busied 
himself for a time pointing out the prominent mem¬ 
bers and explaining how the business is performed. 

But how are we to find Congressman Jones? ” 
asked Dan anxiously. “ I have been looking for him 
among the members down there, but can not see 
him.” 

Hor do I,” said Colonel Ransecker. If he 
doesn’t come in soon I will go down and see if I can 
find him. I am entitled, as an ex-member of Con¬ 
gress, to go upon the floor of the House while it 
is in session, and I can find out about him in that 
way.” 

A half hour passed, Dan finding himself much 
interested in the proceedings of the House, though 
admitting that he would not have been able to under¬ 
stand much about it but for Colonel Ransecker’s as¬ 
sistance. Finally, when the hands of the clock pointed 
to one. Colonel Ransecker suggested that he had bet¬ 
ter go down and see what he could learn about Con- 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


255 


gressman Jones, who had not yet made his ap¬ 
pearance. Dan watched him as he passed among 
the members who crowded about him and shook 
his hand in a way that convinced Dan that his 
counsel was quite a favorite with his former associ¬ 
ates in Congress. Then he stopped beside an officer 
wlio stood before the Speaker’s desk and apparently 
asked him some question. That officer, after looking- 
over some slips of paper, gave a response, which 
seemed to end the search, for Colonel Ransecker im¬ 
mediately left the floor of the House and was soon in 
the gallery beside Dan. 

I am sorry to say,” said he, that Congressman 
Jones is out of the city and will be absent several days. 
He has gone to the Paciflc coast with a special com¬ 
mittee which has been sent there on some very im¬ 
portant investigations.” 

Dan’s countenance fell. How unfortunate! ” 
he said. It seems that everything goes wrong on 
this trip. Do you know when he will be back? ” 

That is uncertain. It may be several weeks.” 
Several weeks! ” echoed Dan in despairing tones. 

Several weeks! What am I to do now, I wonder? ” 
I do not think you need be uneasy about it,” 
said Colonel Ransecker, for I know the officers of 
the Treasury and the place where you will have to go 
to get the bills exchanged. I will go there with you 
at once, if you desire, and have no doubt that we can 
get the exchange made to-day. It is a very simple 
matter.” 

Dan gladly accepted the suggestion, and in a few 
minutes they were leaving the gallery. 


256 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


They are going to take np the Tariff Bill in a 
few minutes/^ said Colonel Bansecker, and I don’t 
suppose you would care about staying to hear that.” 

“ The tariff,” said Dan. Another misfortune, 
for I wanted to hear about that. I have heard so 
much about it and found so much in the papers about 
it that I can’t understand, that I should like very 
much to listen to the debate and see if I could learn 
what it is about. But if Congressman Jones is to be 
away so long, I suppose I may as well go on with my 
business at once.” 

Well, let us walk down Pennsylvania Avenue,” 
said the colonel, and I shall try to tell you the out¬ 
lines of it as we go, and then, perhaps, you can come 
up some other day and listen to the debate with a bet¬ 
ter understanding of it.” 

I should be delighted,” said Dan. 

Of course,” said the colonel, as they passed down 
the broad steps at the western front of the Capi- 
Ijol and paused to admire the picture spread be¬ 
fore them—of course, I can do nothing more than 
to give you the merest outline, for it is a subject 
which statesmen have discussed, and over which they 
have differed from the beginning, and seem likely to 
continue so to the end.” 

I shall be glad to know whatever you can tell 
me in the time you have to spare,” said Dan. 

The tariff,” said the good-natured colonel, is 
a tax which the Government collects upon articles 
coming into the country from other parts of the world. 
The name comes from a town on the southern coast 
of Spain, where the Moors used to compel all vessels 


UXCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


25Y 


passing through the Straits of Gibraltar to pay a tax; 
that town was named Tarifa, and hence arose the 
term ^ tariff.’ Sometimes the tariff tax is called ^ cus¬ 
toms duties/ probably because it had been the custom 
of all nations to collect a tax of this kind on goods 
coming from other countries, and because it was con¬ 
sidered the duty of everybody bringing in goods to 
pay this tax. So the term ^ customs duties ’ quite 
naturally arose. Curious, isn’t it? ” 

Yes, but quite a natural way of selecting names 
for it, after all, I should think.” 

So it was. Well, to go on. All nations have, 
from the earliest history, collected more or less taxes 
upon goods brought in from abroad. Some of them 
also collect a tax on goods sent out of the country.” 

This country doesn’t collect any export tax, does 

it?” 

Yo; that is forbidden by the Constitution.” 

And have we always had a tax on articles coming 
into the country? ” 

Ever since the adoption of the Constitution. Be¬ 
fore that the States had various taxes of that kind, 
but they were very irregular and unsatisfactory. 
When the first Congress under the Constitution met, 
however, one of its very first acts was the passage of 
a tariff law, and, curiously, it went into effect on the 
national birthday, July 4th. That was in the year 
the first Congress met.” 

That must have been 1789, then, and that first 
tariff act must have been passed in E’ew York,” said 
Dan. 

That’s right,” said Colonel Bansecker with a 


258 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


smile, “ tliougii tliere are not many young people of 
your age wlio would have told it so accurately and 
promptly.’’ 

I am afraid I couldn’t have told it when I left 
home,” said Dan frankly. You see my uncle took 
me to the places in Philadelphia where Congress met, 
and while we were there he told me about the places 
where it met from the beginning on down and the 
dates.” 

And I am glad to see that you have remembered 
so well. Yes, that was our first tariff, and it is a 
curious fact that it declared one of its purposes to be 
the ^ encouragement and protection of manufac¬ 
tures.’ ” 

And have the politicians been quarreling over 
the tariff ever since, and especially over the protection 
question ? ” 

Colonel Pansecker laughed. You seem to be 
pretty well posted on the tariff, after all,” he said, 
for that question of protection has been the real bone 
of contention in the tariff matter from that time to 
tliis, and one on which the great parties have divided 
during the century. The first tariff required per¬ 
sons bringing articles to pay a tariff on them which 
amounted on an average to about 8 per cent of 
their value. There were some increases as the years 
passed, and when the war of 1812 came on the tariff 
was doubled. A good many changes were made after 
that from time to time, but the protection principle 
and high rates of duty prevailed most of the time 
until 1846, when the Democrats passed what was 
known as the Walker Tariff Law, reducing the duties 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


259 


very much. Low duties prevailed until the Kepubli- 
cans came into control, in 1861, when they passed a 
protective tariff law and kept it in force, though at 
various rates, as long as they kept control of the Gov¬ 
ernment.’’ 

So it seems that the Republicans favor a pro¬ 
tective tariff and the Democrats oppose it? ” 

Generally speaking, the Democrats have favored 
a low tariff, and have not believed in the principle 
of arranging the duties so as to protect the manu¬ 
facturers, while the parties opposed to them—the 
Federalists, Whigs, and Republicans—have favored 
a higher tariff, so as to keep out goods of the 
class made by American manufacturers, or else mak¬ 
ing the tax paid by foreign goods so high as to 
enable the American manufacturers to make goods 
in easy competition with them and at a good profit, 
and thus pay good wages to their workmen.” 

Do other countries protect their manufacturers 
by a high rate of duties on imported goods of the 
class made in those countries, as we do? ” 

Very many, though not many of them at as high 
rates of duty as some of ours have been. There has 
been a great increase, however, in the rates of tariff 
and in the adoption of the protective system by Euro¬ 
pean and other countries within the past few years. 
England, however, does not believe at all in a pro¬ 
tective tariff, even though she is a great manufacturing 
as well as commercial country. She raises a good 
deal of money by a tariff law, but places the tariff 
upon such articles as are wholly produced abroad, 
such as sugar, tea, coffee, etc., and which every- 


260 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


body must have. This forces everybody to bear a 
greater or less share of the cost of operating the Gov¬ 
ernment.’^ 

What proportion of our taxes which are used 
for the alfairs of the Government are raised by tar¬ 
iff?” 

About one half of the income of the general 
Government is from the tariff, the other half from 
the internal revenue tax, which is mostly a tax on 
whisky, beer, and tobacco.” 

By this time they had reached a long granite 
building, two squares in length, which seemed to have 
been built right across Pennsylvania Avenue. 

Here is the Treasury Department Building,” 
said Colonel Ransecker. How we will abandon the 
tariff and take up the more practical business of get¬ 
ting your bills exchanged. You have them with you, 
I suppose ? ” 

Dan had kept a careful watch of the pocketbook 
all day. His coat had been so tightly buttoned in 
its protection that he had been uncomfortable, and 
whenever anybody had brushed against him he had 
always felt for the big lump in his breast pocket to 
see if it were still there. How, however, that he was 
nearly at the threshold of the Treasury, and about 
to realize the object of his trip, he trembled with ex¬ 
citement. It was a new experience to him, and the 
culmination of long days of anxiety and disappoint¬ 
ments. Was he really to accomplish that for which 
he had so long waited and undergone so much dis¬ 
tress, and for which the Gordon family had been so 
anxious? It was not surprising, then, that he trem- 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 261 

bled as lie felt inside bis coat to make sure before be 
answered, in a voice somewhat unsteady: 

Yes, I bave tbe bills bere.’’ 

You seem to be nervous about it,’’ said Colonel 
Eansecker, looking sharply at him; there is no oc¬ 
casion for that. It is a very simple transaction.” 

Then they climbed tbe high granite steps, but 
were surprised to find tbe door guarded by a man in 
uniform- 

What’s this?” said Colonel Eansecker; doors 
closed? ” 

Yes, sir,” said tbe officer; public not admitted 
after two o’clock.” 

Bless me! ” said tbe colonel, I forgot that I 
was a plain every-day citizen again, and not entitled 
to admission here at any hour, as I was during my 
service in Congress.” 

And can’t we get in to-day at all, then,” said 
Dan, who felt that this new disappointment was too 
much. 

Hot until to-morrow morning,” said Colonel 
Eansecker with a smile. I’m sorry I hadn’t thought 
of that sooner; but we will be here bright and early 
to-morrow, and make sure of it.” 


CHAPTEK XIX. 


It seemed as though the fates were against Dan. 
He was up early upon the morning of the day he had 
agreed to meet Colonel Pansecker at the door of the 
Treasury, and after a careful toilet walked down¬ 
stairs and out upon the street, thinking thus to 
pass the two hours that must elapse before the time 
for the opening of the doors of the Treasury. His 
anxiety led him, almost unconsciously, to turn his 
face in that direction, and in a few minutes he found 
himself in front of the big building whose doors had 
been closed against him on the preceding day. He 
walked around it, looking at its massive walls and solid 
granite columns at either end, and thinking of the 
enormous sums of money it must have cost and the 
much larger sums it contained. 

I wonder if I shall get my new bills from there 
to-day,” he said to himself. I don’t know why it 
is, but I feel as though some new trouble is awaiting 
me.” 

The tones of a heavy bell fell on his ears, striking 
out the hour of eight o’clock, and he turned toward 
his uncle’s boarding house, for the breakfast hour was 
at hand. As he did so he noticed some men at work 
putting long strips of black cloth around the granite 
262 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


263 


columns which he had just been admiring. He looked 
at them with some curiosity and asked one of them 
what it meant. 

An ex-Secretary of the Treasury is dead/’ said 
he, and we are draping the building.” 

Dan found his uncle up and in a cheerful mood. 
The peculiar manner which had given him some un¬ 
easiness on the preceding evening had disappeared, 
and he seemed cheerful and entirely himself. 

Where have you been, young man?” said Mr. 
Patterson. I was a little anxious about you when I 
found that you had gone out.” 

I could not sleep, uncle,” said Dan. You 
know we are in the habit of getting up early at home, 
and, besides, I felt anxious about the business which 
I hope is to be completed to-day. So I walked about 
the city and past the Treasury Building.” 

Wanted to see if it was still there, I suppose,” 
smiled Mr. Patterson. “ Well, I guess that it is safe, 
and that you will have no difficulty in getting ad¬ 
mission this morning.” 

I hope not,” said Dan, for I have had so many 
disappointments that I began to feel discouraged. By 
the way, do they drape the buildings in black every 
time that an ex-Secretary of the Treasury dies? ” 

Usually,” replied Mr. Patterson, but why do 
you ask? ” 

Because, same men were wrapping long black 
cloths around the columns of the building this morn¬ 
ing, and they told me that an ex-Secretary of the 
Treasury was dead.” 

Mr. Patterson bit his lips and looked out of the 


264 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


window for a moment. An ex-Secretary of the 
Treasury dead? he said; that is unfortunate.’’ 

Yes, I suppose it will be a great loss to the coun¬ 
try. I don’t know who it is, hut I suppose it is a 
misfortune to lose a man who has the ability to fill 
such a place.” 

but I didn’t refer especially to that. I 
am afraid, Dan, that this may delay your business 
another day, for the department usually closes on an 
occasion of that kind.” 

Mr. Patterson was right, for when he and Dan 
walked together to the Treasury after breakfast they 
found Colonel Pansecker standing again at a closed 
door which bore the announcement that the building 
would be closed on that day and on the following 
Monday, the day of the funeral. 

Dan and his uncle walked slowly back to Mr. Pat¬ 
terson’s room, and sat down upon the sofa in the par¬ 
lor. As they did so Dan’s hand fell upon a closely 
folded newspaper. He took it up mechanically and 
glanced at the heading. 

Why,” said he, here’s the Weekly Gazette. 
That’s our home paper, the one that Mr. Gordon 
takes. I wonder how it came here.” 

I presume it fell out of Prof. Silurian’s pocket 
yesterday,” said Mr. Patterson, '' for I remember that 
his. coat hung over the back of the sofa, just where 
you are sitting.” 

How curious! ” said Dan. Well, Pm glad to 
get the old Gazette, for it seems like home. Pll just 
read it while I am waiting for Colonel Kansecker. It 
will seem all the better to me, too, to know that while 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


265 


I read each item that everybody has read it before 
me, for there isn’t a line in that paper that isn’t read 
by every member of the family.” 

He settled himself for comfortable perusal of 
the paper. In a moment, however, his manner 
changed. 

Why, uncle,” said he, here’s a very strange 
statement. It says Mr. Addison came back there 
saying that he had been to Chicago, while we know 
that he traveled with us at least as far as Philadel¬ 
phia.” 

Head it, Han,” said Mr. Patterson. That is 
interesting, at least.” 

Han read as follows: 

^ Our fellow-citizen, Mr. Howard Addison, has 
just returned from a trip to Chicago, where he 
spent several days. Mr. Addison has no use for the 
East, he says, and seldom visits the slow-moving cities 
of the Eastern coast. He likes the breezy bustle of 
Chicago. Mr. Addison courteously hands us the fol¬ 
lowing item from a Philadelphia paper, which he 
picked up on the train. It seems to relate to the 
adopted son of Mr. Keuben Gordon, and is a most 
remarkable case.’ ” 

The extract from the Philadelphia paper read as 
follows: 

^ Haniel Patterson, a young West Virginia des¬ 
perado, was arrested by two officers last night for 
stealing a valuable die from the Mint. He had ob¬ 
tained access to the Mint on the plea of desiring to 
19 


266 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


have some West Virginia gold assayed and coined, 
and.must have managed to pick up the die while there, 
as it was found in his pocket by the officers and taken 
from him. It is supposed he took it for use in coun¬ 
terfeiting operations, as large sums of counterfeit 
money have been traced to his immediate section of 
the country. He is evidently a desperate character, 
although quite young, for he fought savagely when 
arrested, knocking one man down and requiring the 
united efforts of the two officers and a pair of hand¬ 
cuffs to take him to the station house, where he was 
locked up to await trial. He was evidently about to 
sail for Europe with his ill-gotten plunder, for he was 
arrested on board a steamer booked to leave for Liver¬ 
pool that day. He was accompanied by his uncle, 
who is a clerk in the railway mail service.’ ” 

Dan’s voice trembled as he read this, and the tears 
stood in his eyes as he looked at his uncle. 

Hever mind, Dan,” said he, that sounds pretty 
rough, but I am sure you will be able to show that 
it is not true. Colonel Kansecker tells me that he 
believes your case will come out all right.” 

“ Yes,” said Dan, but to think that this awful 
thing was read at my home.” 

Yonsense! ” said Mr. Patterson, striving to con¬ 
ceal his own annoyance. Of course, your people 
will know it is not true. The whole matter will be 
easily cleared up.” 

Just then a servant appeared with Colonel Kan- 
secker’s card, and Dan hastily slipped the paper in his 
pocket. 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


267 - 


I think/’ said the colonel as he joined them a 
moment later, that we had better spend the day 
in the departments here, and ^o to Mount Vernon 
on Monday, for the other departments might be closed 
on that day.” 

So it was arranged that they should follow this 
suggestion, and the day was passed in visiting the 
departments and Capitol. Shortly after four o’clock 
they returned. 

Well,” said the colonel, throwing himself in an 
armchair in Mr. Patterson’s room, I declare I’m 
completely tired out. This has been a day of hard 
work, Dan.” 

“ But one of great interest to me. How shall I 
thank you for all the information you have given 
me and the pleasure of these days? It is a rare oppor¬ 
tunity that I have had to see all these things in com¬ 
pany with one who understands all about them and 
who can explain them so well.” 

Colonel Bansecker smiled. It has been a pleas¬ 
ure to me to give you the information,” he said, for 
I am glad to aid anybody who is as anxious to learn 
these important facts as you are.” 

^ If you are not too tired,” said Dan, I should 
like to ask you some questions which have been sug¬ 
gested by the things I saw to-day.” 

I’m at your service,” said the colonel, throwing 
himself on a sofa. ^H’ll rest while we talk.” 

What I wanted to ask you,” said Dan, is about 
the great political parties which have controlled the 
Government at various times. I noticed, as we saw 
the pictures of the various cabinet officers of former 


268 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


years that you spoke of Federalists, Anti-Federalists, 
Whigs, Democrats, and Eepublicans as having had 
control of the Government at various periods.’’ 

Yes,” replied Colonel Eansecker. There have 
always been two great parties in this country since 
the adoption of the present form of Government. 
The laws passed by the Continental Congress, under 
the old Confederation, could not be enforced, and 
the adoption of a form of Federal Government was 
urged by such men as Washington, Adams, and Ham¬ 
ilton, but opposed by others who were not willing to 
see the States lose their identity in the least. When 
the Constitution was adopted and Washington elected 
President, the men favoring a Federal Government 
were in power, in Congress and the presidency, and 
they were known as Federalists. Those who had 
opposed the adoption of the Constitution and the 
Federal Government, however, while they acquiesced 
in its control, wanted the Constitution strictly con¬ 
strued so as to preserve to the States all the rights 
possible under it. Those who favored a Federal Gov¬ 
ernment preferred a broad construction of the Consti¬ 
tution so as to give a strong central government. So 
the statesmen and politicians divided on these lines 
of a strict construction or broad construction of the 
Constitution, and this broad line has been the one 
on which the parties have divided ever since.” 

But I never heard of the strict construction 
or broad construction parties.” 

Ho, they were never known by those names. 
But it was upon those questions that they divided. 
The Anti-Federalists, Democratic Eepublicans, and 








The home of W ashington, Mount Vernon. 


















UNCLE SAM'S SECRETS. 


2G9 


Democrats liave from the first been the advocates of 
strict construction of the Constitution, and the Fed¬ 
eralists, Xational Republicans, Whigs, and Republic¬ 
ans have been in turn the party favoring a broad 
construction of the Constitution.’’ 

Then the two great parties which now exist have 
followed down along the same general lines from the 
first, but under different names.” 

‘’^Practically so. Washington was a Federalist, 
llis first Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton, pro¬ 
posed the establishment of the Bank of the United 
States. Those who favored a strict construction of the 
Constitution opposed this and other measures which 
they thought the Constitution did not specifically au- 
thorize. They were first known as Anti-Federalists, 
then Republicans, but soon took the name of Demo¬ 
cratic Republicans, and finally of Democrats, which 
name has been retained to this day.” 

Then the Democratic Republican party, organized 
during Washington’s term as President, was the 
father, so to speak, of the present Democratic part}', 
and the Federalists, of which Washington was the 
representative, bore the same relation to the present 
Republican party ? ” 

“ Yes, though they have come dovm through sev¬ 
eral parties. The Anti-Federalists were called Re¬ 
publicans for a short time, then Democratic Republic¬ 
ans, and then Democrats, but always with the dis¬ 
tinct doctrines of a strict construction of the Consti¬ 
tution. The broad constructionists were first known 
as Federalists, then Xational Republicans, then Whigs, 
and then Republicans. The Federalists gradually lost 


270 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


control of the Government after the election of AYasli- 
ington and John Adams, and in 1800 Jefferson, then 
a strict constructionist, was elected President. That 
party retained control during the terms of Jefferson, 
Madison, and Monroe, twenty-four years. Then the 
broad constructionists got control again, in the elec¬ 
tion of John Quincy Adams, who was inaugurated 
President in 1825, his party being known as the ISTa- 
tional Republicans, but being composed of the broad 
constructionists, remnants of the old Federalist party. 
They remained in control, however, but four years, 
when the strict constructionists, under the name of 
Democrats, elected Jackson, who was eight years 
President, and was succeeded by another Democrat, 
Yan Buren. At the end of his term the broad con¬ 
structionists again got control, the old Federalists and 
R’ational Republicans having assumed the name of 
AVhigs. They elected Harrison and Tyler in 1840, 
retaining control but four years, when the Democrats 
again resumed control, with Polk as President. Four 
years later the AYhigs were triumphant, electing Tay¬ 
lor and Fillmore. They only remained in power one 
term, however, when the Democrats were successful, 
electing Pierce, who was succeeded four years later 
by Buchanan. By this time the broad construction¬ 
ists had reorganized under the name of Republicans, 
and at the end of Buchanan’s four years’ term they 
elected Lincoln, and remained in power during the 
terms of Lincoln, Lincoln-Johnson. Grant, Hayes, and 
Garfield-Arthur, twenty-four years, when, in 1884, 
the Democrats elected Cleveland, who was followed 
four years later by a Republican President, Harrison, 


UNCLE SAM’S SECIIETS. 


2Y1 


who in four years again gave way to Cleveland, Demo¬ 
crat, whose four years term was followed by the elec¬ 
tion in 1896 of McKinley, Kepublican.” 

So the strict constructionists have elected ten 
men to the presidency, and the broad constructionists 
have elected twelve,” said Dan, after consulting the 
notes he had been making. 

Yes,” replied Colonel Kansecker, the strict 
constructionists have had the presidency during four¬ 
teen terms, and the broad constructionists fourteen. 
This happens because of re-election of several of their 
Presidents to a second term. Washington, Lincoln, 
and Grant were the only broad constructionist Presi¬ 
dents re-elected to a second term, while Jefferson, 
Madison, Monroe, Jackson, and Cleveland, of the 
strict constructionists, were elected to a second term.” 

That is curious, isn’t it ? ” said Dan reflectively. 

Why, the time has been pretty evenly divided be¬ 
tween the broad constructionists and the strict con¬ 
structionists, has it not ? ” 

Yes. Fourteen terms for the strict construction¬ 
ists and fourteen terms for the broad constructionists. 
By many it is believed that these transfers of power 
from one great party to another at intervals have been 
advantageous to the safe and healthy development of 
the republic.” 

And now, if you please,” said Dan, I want you 
to help me to get these names and parties down in 
their proper order, on the two sides of the broad di¬ 
viding line, from the beginning down to the present 
time.” 

With pleasure; but you must remember that 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


272 ~ 

four of the broad constructionist Presidents died in 
office, and were succeeded by the men elected with 
them as Vice-President. The strict constructionists 
have been more fortunate, for they have not lost a 
single President.’’ 

It took considerable study on Dan’s part to get 
the names and dates and order in correct and satisfac¬ 
tory form, but it was finally accomplished with some 
suggestions from Colonel Kansecker, who watched the 
iirowth of the table with much interest. It was as 

o 

follows: 


Broad Constructionists. 

Washington (Federalist), 

1789-97. 

John Adams (Federalist), 

1797-1801. 

John Q. Adams (Nat. Rep.), 

1825-’29. 

Harrison-Tyler (Whig), 1841-45. 
Taylor-Fillmore (Whig), 

1849-’53. 

Lincoln-Johnson (Rep.), 

1801-’69. 

Grant (Rep.), 1869-’77. 

Hayes (Rep.), 1877-’81. 

Garfield-Arthur (Rep.), 1881-’85. 
Harrison (Rep.), 1889-93. 
McKinley (Rep.), 1897- 


Strict Constructionists. 
Jefferson (Dem. Rep.), 1801-’09. 
Madison (Dem. Rep.), 1809-’!7. 
Monroe (Dem. Rep.), 1817-’25. 
Jackson (Dem.), 1829-’37. 

Van Buren (Dem.), 1837-’41. 
Polk (Dem.), 1845-’49. 

Pierce (Dem.), 1853-’57. 
Buchanan (Dem.), 1857-61. 
Cleveland (Dem.), 1885-’89. 
Cleveland (Dem.), 1893-’97. 


Vow,” said Dan, there is still one point which 
I do not understand about this. You say the strict 
or broad construction of the Constitution is the ques¬ 
tion on which the parties have separated, even to the 




UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 273 

present day. Yet I never hear that question discussed 
in the political campaigns now.’’ 

It is discussed in this way: when one party pro¬ 
poses legislation, the other says, ^ That is not permitted 
by the Constitution.’ Then the one replies, ^ A broad 
construction of the wording and meaning of the Con¬ 
stitution will justify it.’ For instance, when the Fed¬ 
eralists wanted to establish the United States Bank, 
the Anti-Federalists argued that a strict construction 
of the Constitution would not permit it, while the 
Federalists argued that a broad construction of its 
wording and meaning of the words would justify 
it. AYhen the Whigs wanted to appropriate money to 
build national roads and improve rivers and harbors, 
the Democrats argued that there was nothing in the 
Constitution authorizing it, while the Whigs replied 
that a broad construction of the Constitution would 
fully warrant it. When the Bepublicans claimed the 
right of the Governnient to control the extension of 
slavery, the Democrats protested on the same grounds; 
when they insisted on the right to coerce a State, the 
Democrats made the same objection; when they estab¬ 
lished the national banking system, there were like 
objections by the Democrats. Whenever the Federal¬ 
ists, National Bepublicans, Whigs, and Bepublicans 
framed a tariff act in a way to be confessedly pro¬ 
tective, the Anti-Federalists, Democratic Bepublicans, 
and Democrats opposed it as not warranted by strict 
construction of the Constitution.” 

Come now,” said Mr. Patterson, who had quietly 
entered as the conversation went on, if we are to 
have much more political history and political econo- 


274 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


my, I sliall be tempted to seek a watery grave in the 
Potomac.^^ 

Why, uncle,’’ said Dan with a laugh, I have 
found it very interesting. I had the blues myself 
when it began^ but have quite recovered.” 


CHAPTER XX. 


The days of enforced waiting for the opening of 
the Treasury were not idle ones with Dan. Sunday 
was spent in attendance upon and visits to many of 
the prominent and historical churches of the city, and 
he was much impressed with the evident fact that 
many of the Presidents and others high in public life 
had been not only regular attendants upon but mem¬ 
bers of the churches. Everywhere that he went he 
was shown the pews which some President, Cabinet 
officer or other dignitary had occupied, and he found 
upon inquiring that many of them were active and 
devoted Christians. This thought was again brought 
to his mind when, on his visit to Mount Vernon, he 
stopped at Alexandria long enough to visit the old 
church of which Washington was not only an at¬ 
tendant but a member and an officer. 

Another thought which had been running through 
his mind in these days was the strange story of his 
uncle’s early life and its later sorrows. Losing his 
own father in childhood and being transferred to the 
household of Mr. Gordon, he had known little of his 
uncle personally, and this sad story of his love and 
loss was entirely new to him. Again and again he 
found his mind returning to it during the busy scenes 


276 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


of the days which followed its recital. Xor was he 
able to divest himself of the association of Miss Den¬ 
nison’s face with that of the faded photograph which 
Mr. Patterson treasured as priceless. True, his uncle 
had spoken of the resemblance as a mere coincidence, 
and not of any importance, yet it seemed to impress 
itself strangely upon Dan, and again and again he 
found himself wondering whether this resemblance 
was in any way responsible for his uncle’s avowed 
fondness for Miss Dennison and unwillingness that she 
should leave his side during his illness. AVhat did it 
mean? It puzzled him, but the more he thought of 
it the more difficulty he found in arriving at a con¬ 
clusion. 

The afternoon of the last day of waiting had ar¬ 
rived. The Treasury had been closed on Saturday 
because of the death of the ex-Secretary, and on Mon¬ 
day on account of the funeral. The clerks and sub¬ 
ordinate officers had trooped over the streets and into 
the woods and down the Potomac as if it were a holi¬ 
day. Dan could not understand it, that the employes 
of this great department over which this man had 
presided, many of whom knew him personally, who 
were excused from labor because the Government de¬ 
sired to show its respect for its former chief, should 
take occasion to mark the event as a holiday. Nor 
was he the only one who has been puzzled in this very 
matter. Alas! poor human nature; how weak and 
utterly selfish it sometimes seems to be! 

Dan and Colonel Pansecker were returning from 
Mount Vernon, where they had as traveling compan¬ 
ions numerous merry parties of mourners ” from 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


277 


the Treasury Department, when some remark regard¬ 
ing the coming presidential election called to Dan^s 
mind a question which he desired to ask Colonel Ean- 
secker. 

'' I suppose/’ said he, '' that you will get tired of 
being asked these questions about matters which every¬ 
body ought to understand, but I have found so many 
people willing to help me with information since I 
left home that I will venture to ask you one more 
question.” 

Don’t stop with one, my dear ’boy,” said Colo¬ 
nel Eansecker. It is a pleasure to me to give you 
any information in my power.” 

I never could understand,” said Dan, why 
the people in presidential elections do not vote directly 
for the man they want as President instead of voting 
for electors, who are to do the voting for them.” 

That does seem like a mass of unnecessary ma¬ 
chinery,” said Colonel Ransecker. The fact is, the 
system was adopted with the expectation that the elec¬ 
tors would exercise their own judgment in the selec¬ 
tion as well as election of the man for the presidency.” 

Then it was intended that the electors should 
come together and select some suitable man for the 
presidency, and elect him, instead of merely voting 
for the nominee like a lot of automatons as they do 
now? ” 

Precisely. The intention of tlie framers of the 
Constitution was that the people of each community 
should select their wisest men and leave to their judg¬ 
ment, absolutely, the selection and election of a Presi¬ 
dent. This was one case in which the affairs of the 


278 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


Government have not gone as tlie framers of the Con¬ 
stitution intended.^’ 

Why did they authoHze the election of electors 
at all? Why did they not authorize the people to 
vote directly for the President? ’’ 

The belief was expressed by some members of ' 
the convention which framed the Constitution that 
the people at that time were not well enough informed 
as to the character of their best men, and it was better 
that they should put into the hands of their wisest 
men in each community or State the authority to joint¬ 
ly select a man for the presidency and elect him. Oth¬ 
ers believed that for other reasons it would be better 
to transfer this grave power to other hands than those 
of the niasses. The question was much discussed and 
many time voted on in the Constitutional Convention, 
but only the delegates from one State voted for the 
election of a President by a direct vote of the people. 
There was then a struggle as to the manner in which 
it should be done, and it was three times decided to 
allow the two houses of Congress to select and elect 
the President, but the question was each time recon¬ 
sidered. Once it was decided to leave the selection 
of electors to the State Legislatures; finally it was 
determined that the Legislature of each State might 
decide for that State what method should be followed 
in the selection of electors. The State Legislatures 
themselves in many cases selected the electors without 
submitting the names at all to a popular vote. But 
this plan has not been followed of late, and in each 
State the electors are selected by popular vote after 
being named by their parties.” 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


279 


Why was it that the original plan of permitting 
the electors to select a man for the presidency and then 
vote for him was not adhered to? ” 

Because the formation of parties and nomination 
of party candidates prevented it. As soon as the cus¬ 
tom of naming a man as the candidate of a party arose, 
the electors merely voted for the man nominated by 
their party and became, as you well put it, mere au¬ 
tomatons, simply registering the vote of the people for 
the candidate of their party.’’ 

When did this change in the real character of 
the electors occur? ” 

At a very early day. The political parties be¬ 
gan to take shape, as I have already explained, by the 
end of Washington’s second term, and before the end 
of John Adams’s term they were sharply defined. So 
toward the end of Adams’s term the leading members 
of Congress of each party held caucuses and named or 
nominated men for the presidency. This custom 
was followed for many years.” 

So presidential candidates have not always been 
nominated by the national conventions as they are 
now, eh ? ” 

ISTo, they were nominated by caucuses of the 
members of Congress until 1824, and after that by 
the Legislatures of the States, until 1832, when the 
present system of national conventions was established, 
and has been followed ever since. This struck the last 
blow, if, indeed, it had not been struck when the 
caucus nominations were begun at the independent 
action of the electors. He would be a bold man who 
would attempt, as an elector, to vote for anybody ex- 


280 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


cept tlie man nominated by bis party, altliougli the 
Constitution clearly intended that every presidential 
elector should follow his own judgment in selecting 
the man who should receive his vote.’’ 

Just one thing, colonel, about these dry sub¬ 
jects: 1 often read or hear talk, especially during 
presidential campaigns, about the possibility of the 
election being thrown into the House of Representa¬ 
tives. What does that mean? ” 

The Constitution provides that the person must 
receive the majority of the votes of the whole number 
of electors. Where there are more than two candi¬ 
dates it sometimes happens that none of the candidates 
receives a majority of the whole number of electoral 
votes—that is, more than one half of the entire num¬ 
ber. It will not do for him to have a mere plurality, 
or simply more than any other candidate; he must have 
a majority, or more than one half of the total number 
of electoral votes cast. When this happens (as it has 
on only two occasions in the twenty-eight presidential 
elections we have had) the House of Representatives 
must vote upon the three persons having the highest 
number of electoral votes, and select one of them for 
President. The votes in a case of this kind are 
taken by States, and the vote of a State having but 
one Representative in the House counts just as 
much as that of a State having thirty-four Repre¬ 
sentatives. 

“ But suppose all the Representatives from a State 
are not agreed upon any one of the candidates ? ” 

The wish of the majority of the members from 
the State governs the manner in which the vote of the 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


281 


State shall he cast; hut if the members are equally 
divided in opinion the State loses its vote.’’ 

But might it not be possible that if the three 
candidates are voted on in the House no one of them 
would get the majority of the votes there? ” 

Yes; but if nobody is selected by the 4th of 
March then the person elected as Vice-President would 
become President. You see the Constitution provides 
that if none of the candidates for Vice-President shall 
receive a majority of electoral votes the Senate shall 
immediately select the two names having the highest 
number of votes and elect one of them as Vice-Presi¬ 
dent. So if the House should fail to elect' a President 
by the 4th of March there would be already a Vice- 
President who would become President, as in the death 
or other constitutional disability of the President.’^ 

You said that the election of a President had 
been thrown into the House on two occasions ? ’’ 

Yes. Two Presidents have been elected by the 
House—Jefferson, in 1801, and John Quincy Adams, 
in 1825—but the House has never failed to elect when 
the matter came before it.’’ 

Just then the boat touched the wharf at Washing¬ 
ton, and a few minutes later Dan had bidden Colonel 
Ransecker good-by for the day, agreeing to meet 
him at the Treasury door next morning for the long- 
hoped-for exchange of the bills for the new ones. 

I don’t know why it is,” he said to his uncle, 
whom lie found awaiting him, but somehow I feel 
that there is still more disappointment in store for me 
before I accomplish my errand, if I do accomplish it.” 
Are you accustomed to take such a gloomy view 
20 


282 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


of life, Dan?’’ said Mr. Patterson with a smile; 
yon have expressed that feeling once before.” 

E’o, I don’t think I am,” said Dan, tapping the 
window pane gloomily; ^^but somehow I feel as though 
there was more trouble ahead. By the way, have 
you any idea when Mr. Chilton will be here, or what 
was the object of his visit to our part of the coun¬ 
try?” 

I hear some hints that there had been some 
heavy robberies of registered letters in that section, 
though I do not know just where. There are some 
coal mines up there, where a large number of men 
are employed, and it is whispered that a large number 
of registered letters sent by these men had been sys¬ 
tematically plundered. It seems to be a very bad 
case, for the men are employed on very difficult and 
dangerous work, living a life of great privation and 
suffering, and were sending money to their families 
in different parts of the country. Many of them are 
now suffering for the loss of money. I do not 
know positively that this is the matter which called 
Mr. Chilton to that section, but I know that his chief 
went up there to look into it, and Mr. Chilton said 
before leaving that he was to meet his chief on im¬ 
portant business in that section.” 

Dan had become much interested as the conversa¬ 
tion proceeded, for matters of this kind are always in¬ 
teresting to those of his age, and he had left the win¬ 
dow and come nearer to his uncle. 

Do you know whether Mr. Chilton has been 
successful in finding out who did the stealing? ” he 
asked. 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


283 


I only know that a telegram was received from 
him this morning, saying that he started on the mid¬ 
night train for Washington, and that he had some 
important information. The telegram was dated, I 
believe, at Minersville, which would indicate that he 
ought to arrive on this afternoon’s train.” 

Minersville! Why, that is Sallie’s—I mean 
Miss Dennison’s—home.” 

So it is,” said Mr. Patterson cheerfully. Well, 
we shall be able to hear whether she arrived home 
safely. God bless her! She was a comforting angel 
at my bedside, Dan. I believe I should have died but 
for her care. I hope Mr. Chilton will bring us some 
news of her. But there’s the afternoon paper just 
come in. Don’t you want to see it? ” 

Dan accepted the suggestion and took up the pa¬ 
per, glancing over the headlines. Presently one 
heading seemed to strike his attention. His manner 
changed in an instant, and directly an exclamation of 
surprise broke from his lips. 

What is it, Dan?” said his uncle, looking up 
from his desk, where he had been arranging some 
papers. 

Why, this is very strange,” said Dan, with ap¬ 
parent excitement. A mine on fire in West Vir¬ 
ginia—and the dispatch is dated Minersville—and the 
postmaster—why, uncle! uncle! ” 

What is it, Dan? ” said Mr. Patterson, as he 
saw Dan was growing more excited as he glanced down 
the article. Bead, Dan, read it out.” 

And Dan read, with voice trembling with excite¬ 
ment, as follows: 


284 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


“A DEED OF HEROISM. 

A West Virginia Postmaster enters a Burning 
Mine to save a party of Miners from destruction. 

Mineksville, W. Ya., Sept. 17.—An act of 
heroism seldom equaled in the annals of real life oc¬ 
curred near here to-day, in which a valued and highly 
respected citizen of this place, a faithful officer of the 
Government, deliberately sacrificed himself to save a 
party of men unknown personally to him. The place 
in question is the Hilltop coal mine, located a few 
miles north of here. A large number of miners are 
employed there. Many of these are foreigners, most 
of them ignorant men, working for a mere pittance, 
half starved and clad, struggling to get enough money 
to support their families. A good many of them had 
come to the mine within the past month or two, and 
had been sending as much of their earnings as they 
could spare in registered letters to their families at 
distant points. Kecently it had been discovered that 
the money sent by them had been lost in transit, pre¬ 
sumably stolen by some dishonest post office official, 
and much sympathy had been awakened in their be¬ 
half. This morning that feeling was increased by 
the receipt of the news that the mine was on fire, and 
that they would be necessarily thrown out of work. 
The news spread rapidly through the little town, and 
there was excitement and sympathy for the men. This 
was increased by the presence of families and friends 
of some of the workmen, who had just arrived here 
on their way to the mine. Their distress was pitiful. 
They told how the families of some of the miners 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


285 


were suffering at tlieir liomes from the failure of 
funds to reach them. Then came the news that sev¬ 
eral of the men were imprisoned in the burning mine, 
and that their rescue was almost impossible. This 
news, coupled with the scenes of agony and distress 
which followed among the families of the men, seems 
to have led to a deed of heroism unexampled in the 
history of this part of the country. Postmaster Den¬ 
nison, for some unknown reason, was up especially 
early, having been, he said, unable to sleep. It is now 
remembered by several who passed his office very late 
that night that they saw a light within, an altogether 
unusual circumstance. The story of the fire and the 
tales of the suffering of the now imprisoned miners 
seemed to especially impress him. Hastily visiting his 
office, he put his affairs in perfect order, and saddling 
his horse, he left for the mine. Those who saw him 
observed an unusual look upon his face and heard him 
muttering strange words as he hurriedly made his 
preparations for departure, but even then did not sus¬ 
pect his intentions. Arriving at the mine, his first 
inquiries were for the imprisoned miners and their 
names. He was told that a party of thirty or more 
were imprisoned in one section of the mine, and 
that the smoke and gases were being rapidly driven 
in that direction and must soon suffocate them. 
There seemed no hope of saving them. They could 
not retreat, for the only opening leading from that 
portion of the mine was the one through which the 
suffocating smoke and deadly gas were pouring into 
the portion where they were imprisoned. If the big 
iron doors, which are sometimes used to cut off that 


286 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


portion of the mine from the one in which the fire 
was raging, conld be closed, it was said, they might be 
saved by digging a new opening into the part where 
they were imprisoned. But there was no way of clos¬ 
ing that door, and long before an opening could be 
dug they would be dead. 

^ Their names! ’ shouted Postmaster Dennison as 
their condition and the circumstances were told him. 
^ Their names I ^ 

They were told him. 

^ My God! ^ he said. ^ Those very names; those 
very men! ’ 

He ran to an air shaft which led to the big iron 
doors. The smoke and heat were pouring from it in 
volumes. 

^ Could one get to the doors if he went down 
that shaft ? ’ he said to the superintendent. 

‘ Yes,’ replied the superintendent, ^ for they are 
just at the foot of the shaft, on the left hand side; but 
the man who would make that trip would never come 
back alive. He could reach the doors and close them, 
but he could never return.’ 

Mr. Dennison did not reply. He pressed his 
hands to his forehead for a moment. Then, taking 
a memorandum book from his pocket, he wrote a few 
lines, and, tearing the sheet out, handed it to the su¬ 
perintendent. 

^ I beg of you to deliver this to my daughter,’ 
said he, ^ and to say to her that it was my last act; 
that I went to my death with her name on my lips.’ 

Then, before those who heard him could com¬ 
prehend his intention, he dashed into the air shaft 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


287 


and disappeared in the smoke and suffocating gases. 
A moment later a volume of flame shot out of the 
shaft, announcing that the doors had been closed and 
the men were saved. But the man who saved them 
was dead. No one could live a moment in that fur¬ 
nace after the door had been closed. 

On the sheet of paper he had handed the super¬ 
intendent were these words: 

^ Dear Sallie: I give my life to save these men, 
and for a reason which you will understand. I be¬ 
lieve God will forgive my errors, and will also care 
for you. I welcome this opportunity to make resti¬ 
tution to these suffering men. 

Your father, 

Samuel Dennison.’ ” 

As Dan read the last words he heard a groan of 
agony. He looked up and saw Mr. Chilton standing 
in the door, where he had listened unobserved to the 
reading of the article. His face was pale. He stared 
at Dan, and, seizing the paper, looked quickly at the 
date as if to satisfy himself of its reality. Then every 
trace of color left his face, and he fell helpless into 
a chair. For once this usually cool, self-poised man 
was unnerved. 


CHAPTEK XXI. 


The story of the tragic death of Postmaster Den¬ 
nison produced a profound impression upon Dan and 
his uncle. It need not be said that it affected even 
more profoundly that usually unemotional person Mr. 
Chilton, for we have already seen its effect upon him. 
He quickly recovered his equanimity, however, and 
though Mr. Patterson tried to learn his knowledge 
or opinion of the event, he was silent. He took up 
the paper and read the dispatch carefully, seeming to 
weigh each line and word, and showing by his pale 
face and agitated manner that the mystery which sur¬ 
rounded this strange event had in some way impressed 
and depressed him greatly. Then he suddenly looked 
at his watch. 

I must ask you to excuse me,’’ he said abruptly. 

In a moment he was gone, leaving Dan and his 
uncle looking at each other with inquiring eyes. But 
to all inquiries neither was able to render an intelli¬ 
gent response. 

Mr. Chilton, when he left Mr. Patterson’s room, 
turned his steps towards the Post Office Department. 
It was long past four o’clock, the hour for closing, 
but he felt sure that he should find his chief at his 
desk. So he walked quietly past the guard at the 
288 



The Post-Office Department, Washington. 






















UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


289 


door, who would have admitted him at midnight with¬ 
out a word, and a moment later was at the desk of his 
chief. Inspector Bradley, whose keen black eyes and 
scraggy iron-gray heard are familiar to the readers of 
this narrative. 

Hullo, Chilton! said that officer, throwing 
himself hack in his chair; glad to see you, old fellow, 
I’m tired to death with this long day’s work and am 
glad to have somebody to take me away from it. Why^ 
what’s the matter, old man? ” said he, as he noticed Mr 
Chilton’s pale face and agitated manner. 

I want to speak to you privately,” said Mr. Chil¬ 
ton. 

All right,” said Inspector Bradley, laying aside 
his papers. You can go, Mr. Stenographer; you 
have put in a pretty long day.” 

A moment later they were alone, for the alacrity 
with which the stenographer obeyed the suggestion 
which ended his day’s labor was something astound¬ 
ing. Then Mr. Chilton handed the paper containing 
the tragic death of Postmaster Dennison to Mr. Brad¬ 
ley. He read it silently. 

So it seems that I was right,” he said calmly, as 
he handed the paper hack to Mr. Chilton. You know 
I told you I believed that was where the registered 
letters were being robbed.” 

Mr. Chilton did not answer for a moment. Then, 
as if the question cost him an effort, he said, Have 
you read my report? ” 

^^Ho; it was only an hour ago that you handed 
it to me, and I have been busy closing up the day’s 
work.” 


290 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


He took up a document from his desk in Mr. 
Chilton’s handwriting and began reading it. As he 
turned page after page he occasionally glanced at the 
silent man who sat opposite him. He remembered, 
too, the abstracted manner of Mr. Chilton when he 
left the train at Blankville, and how he had started 
at the suggestion that the robberies had occurred at 
the post olSce of the father of Sallie Dennison. 

When he finished reading the report he looked 
long at Mr. Chilton, but neither of them spoke. 

Mr. Bradley took up a pair of scissors and reached 
for the newspaper which Mr. Chilton held in his 
hand. 

I guess I’ll just put this newspaper clipping on 
file with this report,” he said. I reckon that will 
about close this case up.” 

Mr. Chilton started. A look of pain crossed his 
still pale face. 

What is it, my friend? ” said the chief kindly; 
you seem to be troubled.” 

Bradley,” said he in a strangely altered voice, 
I want to ask you a question.” 

It was most unusual for him to thus address his 
chief. He had seldom, in the long years of their in¬ 
tercourse, omitted the ordinary prefix in the use of his 
name, or spoken in the strange manner which charac¬ 
terized his address. 

Inspector Bradley sat down and awaited the ques¬ 
tion with a look of kindness almost affection. 

What is it, Chilton? ” he said as he laid his hand 
kindly upon his shoulder. 

Do you think I could, without impropriety, with- 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


291 


draw this report and substitute a more formal one, 

which would not-and he stopped as if at a loss 

to know just how to express himself. 

Which will not unnecessarily reflect upon the 
memory of this man who has made reparation with his 
life to those whom he wronged, and whose friends 
should be spared the additional pain of a detail of 
these facts, now that the case is at an end,’’ said In¬ 
spector Bradley, finishing the sentence for him. 

Mr. Chilton pressed his hand in reply, but did 
not speak. 

Inspector Bradley reflected a moment. 

I understand, Mr. Chilton,” he said. I can 
now see what an effort it must have cost you, what 
a sacrifice of your personal feelings, what anxiety and 
pain, to carry this investigation through, and, obtain¬ 
ing this result, to put it on paper. Men are plenty 
Chilton, who are willing to face danger, and even 
death, but there are few who would have unflinch¬ 
ingly done this duty as you have done it under the 
circumstances.” 

He took up the report from his desk and looked 
again at it. 

This report,” he said in a changed voice and 
manner, is, I think, unnecessarily voluminous, espe¬ 
cially in view of the fact that the case is now finally 
closed. I will ask you to withdraw it and substitute 
a less bulky one, which will not so much encumber the 
files of the department.” 

Mr. Chilton looked at his chief; his lips trembled, 
but he did not speak. It was a chilly afternoon, and 
a dull fire was burning in the grate at the other end 



292 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


of tlie room. Taking tlie report which his chief had 
handed him he walked silently toward the grate, and 
in a moment Inspector Bradley saw a bright flame 
as if of burning paper. When this had ceased he 
saw Mr. Chilton take a poker and stir the roll of 
black ashes as if to make sure that no particle had 
escaped destruction. Then he turned to leave the 
room. 

I will present my report as soon as the death of 
Postmaster Dennison is verified,’’ he said. His 
bondsman will make his accounts good. I shall leave 
for Minersville at once.” 

The morning papers next day contained little ad¬ 
ditional as to the tragic death of Postmaster Dennison, 
though verifying the statements of the previous day 
as to details. Dan was up early and read them care¬ 
fully, for the story of the tragedy had driven sleep 
from his eyes. There was an other reason, too, why 
he was unable to sleep. The day set for his visit to 
the Treasury and the exchange of his bills had ar¬ 
rived. He had met with so many disappointments 
that he almost dreaded the arrival of the supreme mo¬ 
ment lest some new obstacle should arise. He was 
able to eat little breakfast. He made an unusually 
careful toilet, however, and placed the pocketbook 
again in an inside pocket, buttoning his coat tightly 
over it. 

Will you be able to go with me? ” he asked of 
his uncle. I should like very much to have you 
with me.” 

Yes,” said Mr. Patterson, I will go Avith you. 
I presume you would get along just as well without 







t : 

_ 1 ■' II 


^ 1 - 

■ “ -W^-. 

i . 

• r 

'» - • 

*> 

t. 

• 

* 1 

• 

« 

» 


' ft 

V \ 


tf* 

1 -‘-^ . %-■ 

■ ‘ . t 

M 

1 . 

"V 

« 

r> 

*» 

•% ■ ■ 

* 

4^'i^-3 

»>' 





.Mir 


: i-: N 



Sf* 


•m 


ii :■ V 


.. i » ^ 


>/. r 

• * - *t 

- r • t • 




t 


* ‘‘I V 




. V 




-f ■ * 

t. 


I t 


rV ^ 

V., ■ i 


!% -• • j^ I - 

4 Cj « "l ' •• -• 


. • 



I » 


v'. , 

*. . A. 


• I 



« i^Kp^ . .■ 






The Treasury Department, Washington. 

































UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


293 


me, but you remember wliat Prof. Silurian advised, 
about noting everything that happened when the ex¬ 
change was made. So I think I might as well go 
along. 

I wonder what he meant,’’ said Dan uneasily. 

They were soon at the door of the Treasury, and 
a few moments later were joined by Colonel Ran- 
secker. Dan nervously felt in his pocket to assure 
himself that the pocketbook was in its place, and a 
moment later they stood at the door of the cash room 
of the Treasury. 

Dan’s hand trembled perceptibly as he drew the 
pocketbook from its place of concealment. The crit¬ 
ical moment had arrived. He had waited so long, 
had so many disappointments, and the result was a 
matter of so much importance to those who were near 
and dear to him, that he felt his heart beating vio¬ 
lently. His face was pale, and he was hardly able to 
speak. 

Don’t be nervous about it,” said Colonel Ran- 
secker in a low tone; it is a very simple matter, and 
one of everyday occurrence here.” 

But not so everyday an occurrence with me,” 
said Dan with a smile as he fumbled with his pocket- 
book. 

Finally it was opened and the package of bills 
produced. They were wrapped in a sheet of note pa¬ 
per, for it will be remembered that Mr. Gordon had 
so arranged them when he gave the pocketbook to Dan 
just before starting. Dan handed the package, paper 
and all, to the cashier. 

Ah! ” said that gentleman as he deftly opened 


294 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


the package and glanced at them; ink-stained, aren’t 
they? ” 

Then he took them up one by one and glanced 
hastily at them. 

That’s curious,” said he as he looked more closely 
at them. He held one of them up to the light, laid 
it down, and subjected another to a like scrutiny, and 
then another. Then he glanced sharply at Dan, who 
■w'as striving without success to conceal his anxiety. 

Where did you get these bills, young man? ” he 
said sharply. 

They belong to my adopted father, Mr. Reuben 
Gordon,” said Dan. He got them in Wheeling 
from the people to whom he sold the mountain.” 

In Wheeling, from the people to whom he sold 
the mountain ? ” said that official, looking at the bills 
one by one, and glancing at Dan and his companions. 

You see,” said Colonel Ransecker, Mr. Gor¬ 
don, his adopted father, sold a mountain on his farm 
for these bills and other money, and by accident some 
ink was spilled over them, and this young man was 
sent here to get them exchanged.” 

The official did not answer. He took up a little 
magnifying glass from the desk and began to look 
closely at the bills. As he did so he reached down 
beneath the counter and pressed a button which caused 
an electric bell to ring. A moment later two men 
stepped inside the room, glancing quietly at the cash¬ 
ier, but saying nothing. Then the cashier passed to 
a desk near by where sat another gentleman, to whom 
he submitted the bills for inspection. He glanced at 
them for a moment and made some reply, which Dan 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


295 


could not understand, thougli he felt sure he heard his 
own name mentioned. Then a large scrapbook 
with sundry newspaper clippings was produced, and 
after some search one clipping was read carefully. 
Then the electric bell rang again, more sharply, the 
doors through which the visitors had entered were 
closed, and the men who had entered behind them 
moved a little nearer. 

I am sorry to tell you, young man,” said the 
cashier, returning to the window where Dan stood, 
that I can not give you good money for these.” 

Can not give me good money for them? ” gasped 

Dan. 

1^0,” was the reply; they are counterfeit, and 
I shall be compelled to ask those men behind you to 
take you into custody.” 


CHAPTEK XXII. 


The macliinery of a great press association is some¬ 
thing superb in its methods. Its representatives per¬ 
vade every great city and the most remote parts of 
the world. They are men trained in the gathering 
and writing of news. They scent an item from afar. 
The mere incident which to the ordinary citizen is 
as nothing is to them a pointer which develops a 
piece of news to astonish the world. The men who 
gather its news are numbered by thousands. In the 
large cities they are employed exclusively in this work; 
in the smaller cities and towns the editors of local 
papers are agents of the association, and whenever 
their reporters or correspondents bring in a piece of 
news of general interest it is quickly put upon the 
wires and telegraphed over the country to the papers 
receiving the news dispatches of the press association. 

So it happened, although the arrest- of Dan had 
occurred at a late hour in the forenoon, the item had 
been written in Washington, telegraphed to the main 
office, pronounced good stuff ’’ by the editor, trans¬ 
mitted thence over the wires in every direction, put in 
type in hundreds of newspaper offices, and scattered 
broadcast by screaming newsboys and hustling carriers 
before sunset that day. 


296 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


297 


It was as follows: 

COUNTERFEITER ARRESTED. 

Washington, Sept. 18 . —The Treasury authori¬ 
ties to-day arrested Daniel Patterson, of West Vir¬ 
ginia, in the act of attempting to pass a number of 
counterfeit bills of a large denomination. Patterson 
is the young man who was recently arrested in Phila¬ 
delphia for stealing a die from the Mint for use in 
counterfeiting. 

Mr. Ilaliday was seated at his desk in the Mint 
that day, near the hour for the close of business, when 
Dobson, the doorkeeper, brought him the evening pa¬ 
per, as was his custom. He laid it down on the desk 
before Mr. Haliday, who noticed that it was folded in 
an unusual manner, but thought nothing of it. He 
observed, however, that Dobson was lingering in the 
room, an unusual occurrence. 

What is it, Dobson? ’’ he said. Do you want 
to speak to me? ’’ 

If you please, sir,’’ said Dobson, I thought 
you might be interested in an item in that paper, 
and it’s so little that I thought may be you wouldn’t 
see it.” 

What is that? ” said Mr. Haliday, taking up the 
paper. 

Dobson pointed to a paragraph crowded down into 
an obscure corner of the paper. It was the one al¬ 
ready quoted, announcing the arrest of Dan. 

Mr. Haliday read it quickly, and his ejaculation of 
surprise told Dobson that he had not made a mistake 
in supposing it would interest him. 

21 


298 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


Thank you, Dobson,’’ he said; you can go 

now.” 

The paper fell from his hand, and he seemed to 
be thinking intently. Then he took it up and read 
the item over carefully. He glanced at the heading 
of the paper, and finding it marked Second Edi¬ 
tion,” sent for the last edition and for the other even¬ 
ing papers, hut found nothing more. 

Strange,” he said to himself; I begin to believe 
that Chilton and Prof. What’s-his-name were right.” 

Then he unlocked a drawer and took a cipher 
code ” from it, and after consulting it wrote a message, 
using the mysterious cipher ” which makes absolute 
secrecy by telegraph possible. It was as follows: 

Philadelphia, Sept. 18 th. 

To Prof. Magnifir Finline, 

Fifth Avenue Hotel, Hew York. 

Algonquin paregoric method handy Daniel Patter¬ 
son thirty parsimony. Whisper duck tintype rendi¬ 
tion happy whatever. House peppermint leader in¬ 
come pension. Haliday. 

Touching the bell he handed the dispatch to Dob¬ 
son, who had responded with unusual alacrity. 

Take this to the telegraph office at once,” said 
he, and then go to the court room and see if Judge 
Solium is there. If so say to him that Mr. Haliday 
sends his compliments and desires the privilege of call¬ 
ing on him at once.” 

Dobson bowed and turned to go. 

‘‘Wait a moment, Dobson,” said Mr. Haliday. 



UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


299 

Do you know where Officer Yankiim is to be 
found? ’’ 

Idl inquire at the police station as I go by, sir,” 
said Dobson, bowing himself out. 


The train rushing from Chattanooga to Cincinnati 
that afternoon passed a mining camp on the Cincin¬ 
nati Southern Kailroad just before sunset. As it 
whirled past, the baggage master threw off a bundle 
of papers damp from the press, and leaning out of the 
car door held his sides with laughter on observing that 
they had struck one of a group of colored boys squarely 
on the head, and sent him tumbling iijto a pool of 
water beside the station. The boy and the papers 
were soon fished from their uncomfortable position, 
and the boy started on his rounds, delivering his papers 
to the residents of the temporary structures, where the 
miners and officers were quartered. In the most pre¬ 
tentious and comfortable of these buildings sat a man 
of perhaps fifty years, with closely cropped side whisk¬ 
ers, an outing suit, and a bookish air. He seemed 
rather out of place, and evidently felt a little so as he 
glanced at his surroundings. An instructor’s chair in 
some college seemed more in harmony with his appear¬ 
ance. 

He was busy with some maps, drawing lines and 
making figures, when the evening paper came in. He 
laid aside his work, eager for the news of the outside 
world. 

Heigho! ” he said wearily. I hope I shall 


300 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


get out of this place soon. I want to get back to 
Washington, and then to my duties.’^ 

Suddenly an item in the paper, which he had taken 
in his hands, seemed to attract his attention. It was 
but a half dozen lines, but everything else in the 
paper was forgotten. He rose quickly and went to the 
door, where he could get a better light and read it 
over carefully. 

Daniel Patterson! he exclaimed in tones of sur¬ 
prise. Daniel Patterson arrested for attempting to 
pass counterfeit bills in Washington! ’’ 

Then he walked up and down the room for a little 
time, turning the matter over in his mind, and grad¬ 
ually seemed to think it out. 

Yes,’’ he said to himself with a vigorous nod of 
the head. My theory was right from the first.” 

He drew some telegraph blanks from his pocket, 
and turning to a rough table sat down and wrote a 
message. He was occupied with it several minutes, 
for he consulted a small book which he took from his 
traveling bag several times while doing so. Then he 
hurried to the telegraph ofiice. 

What’s this? ” said the operator as he began read¬ 
ing the message preparatory to sending it. I don’t 
understand this at all. It’s just a jumbled up mass 
of words and don’t mean anything.” 

Hever mind thab,” said the bookish man nervous¬ 
ly, ^^send it; send it quickly.” It was addressed 
—^^Prof. Magnifir Pinline, Fifth Avenue Hotel, 
Xew York.” 



UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


301 


Tlie train wliicli left Washington that morning 
stopped at a good-sized town in West Virginia, not 
far from Minersville. A puny-looking hoy, with a 
weak voice, stood at the door of the car and mur¬ 
mured something about an evening paper. A little 
man in gray, wearing big glasses, who looked as 
though he wanted something to take his mind from 
a disagreeable subject, bought the only paper the hoy 
had, and went hack to his seat in the car as the train 
started. He glanced carelessly over it and was about 
to th'»’<^w it down when his eye caught a display 
head,’’ which the enterprising editor had written. It 
said, A West Virginia Counterfeiter Arrested.” 
The little man read the item quickly, for it was a short 
one, and turning looked long and steadily from the 
window. But it was evident that he was puzzled, for 
his hand went again and again up to his right ear, 
rubbing it slowly. 

What shall I do? ” he said to himself, in manner 
evincing much agitation. What shall I do? My 
expectations have been realized, and it now lies in 
my power by silence to turn the scale in my favor. 
But yet-” 

Vext station Blankville! ” shouted the brake- 

man. 

Blankville! ” ejaculated the little man with new 
evidence of emotion. Blankville-” and he cov¬ 

ered his face with his hands and was silent. 

But it was not long. The stop of the train at 
Blankville seemed to aid him in a determination. He 
rose quickly with a new look upon his pale face. 
Tearing a sheet of paper from his notebook he hastily 




302 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


wrote two telegrams. As the conductor passed he 
handed them to him, saying: 

I have concluded not to stop at Minersville. 
Please send these for me at this station.’’ 

As the conductor filed the telegrams he noticed 
that one was addressed Silurian,” and said Come 
by first train to the place agreed upon.” The other 
was a mass of unintelligible words and was addressed. 
Prof. Magnifir Pinline, Fifth Avenue Hotel, ^N^ew 
York.” Both were signed “ Chilton.” 


Prof. Magnifir Finline sat in his apartments at the 
Fifth Avenue Hotel. He was a man of perhaps 
thirty-eight or forty,- with full black beard, trimmed 
to a point in the latest French fashion. He wore a 
loosely fitting smoking jacket, and was giving his at¬ 
tention to the rings of smoke from a fine Havana 
cigar, which he had just removed from his lips and 
now held between two very slender fingers. Upon 
the table beside him was a curious-looking brass in¬ 
strument, having several lenses of fine glass. On the 
mantel were two more of the same general class, and 
in a closet, whose half-opened door disclosed its con¬ 
tents, were several others. It was evident that Prof. 
Magnifir Finline was a man of culture, probably a 
specialist in some of the higher lines of science, as these 
elaborate and costly instruments would indicate. Be¬ 
side him on the table were several playing cards, with 
purple stains, which looked as though they had been 
made by a slender thumb, also a piece of red sealing 
wax. He took them in his hand and swung around in 



UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


303 


liis revolving chair, when the door opened and a young 
man with light hair and blue eyes entered, handing 
him a telegram. He carelessly tore it open, but had 
not finished reading it before his interest increased. 

Bring me the cipher code, Canby,^’ said he; 
this looks as though it was something of impor¬ 
tance.’’ 

• The code w^as produced. 

Sit down and help me out with this, will you? ” 
said the professor; “ you student fellows are quick at 
this sort of thing.” 

The young man took the telegTam in his hand and 
glanced at it. 

Daniel Patterson,” he said with an astonished 
look—Daniel Patterson! why, what does this 
mean ? ” 

That is what I want to know,” said Prof. Mag- 
nifir Finline. That seems to be a familiar name, 
and one in which you appear to have taken a remark¬ 
able interest since you came to take up this line of 
scientific study with me.” 

Slowly the mysterious Avords of the telegram were 
translated, and in a few minutes it stood before them, 
dressed in new words and with a definite and impor¬ 
tant meaning. 

Pass me the evening paper, Canby,” said the 
professor; perhaps it may give some further infor¬ 
mation.” 

The first item read Avas that announcing the arrest 
of Dan. Then the tAVO men looked at each other 
in silence for a moment. 

I wish Prof. Silurian Avere here,” said Mr. Can- 



304 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


by, for I believe he could give us some important 
information. I remember when he came up out of 
the- 

He checked himself and began folding the tele¬ 
gram which he still held in his hand into little 
creases. 

Well,’’ said the professor, go on.” 

I don’t know,” said Mr. Canby with some ap¬ 
parent confusion—“ I don’t know that I ought to. 
I remembered that the professor cautioned me not to 
speak of the matter which I was just going to men¬ 
tion.” 

Prof. Magnifir Finline shrugged his shoulders in 
true French fashion. His English was perfect, but 
the shrug was French—unmistakably French. 

Just then there was a rap on the door, and a 
servant entered with another telegram. 

“ Come now,” said the professor, this is getting 
interesting.” 

He tore the envelope off hastily. More cipher,” 
said he, and signed ^ Chilton.’ ” 

They had only one half completed its translation 
when a third telegram was laid before them. 

Open it, Canby,” said the professor, still busy 
with the cipher code. 

Still more cipher,” said Mr. Canby—more 
cipher, and as I live it is signed ^ Silurian.’ Only 
now I was wishing he were here, and now he is speak¬ 
ing to us from his mining camp in Tennessee, and 
upon this very subject, for I see the names Patterson 
and Chilton are a part of the message.” 

A few minutes later three cipher telegrams signed 


I 



UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


305 


Finline ” were flashing over the wires in three differ¬ 
ent directions, and Mr. Canby was at the ticket office 
of the hotel. 

Two tickets for Washington/’ he said, and 
reserve two lower berths on the midnight train.” 


And yet the work of that six-line item was not 
finished. Two other people read it late that evening—• 
one a well-dressed man of uncertain age, sitting in a 
luxuriously furnished apartment at the foot of a moun¬ 
tain in West Virginia; the other a pale-faced young 
girl, at Minersville, with golden hair, and eyes red 
with weeping. The well-dressed young man stroked 
his silken mustache as he read it, and smiled, but spoke 
not. The young girl, who sat in a darkened home, 
wearing the habiliments of those who mourn for the 
dead, buried her face in the lap of her aunt, who had 
come from the Addison castle to comfort her in her 
affiiction. 

It seems to me that my sorrows have all come at 
once,” she said. 

Then she started up with a new look upon her 
face. 

Aunt,” said she firmly, “ the things of which we 
have just been talking may have an important bearing 
upon this matter. We must go to AVashington at 
once.” 




CHAPTER XXIII. 

Prof. Magnifir Finline and Mr. Canby arrived 
in Washington two hours late. An accident to a train 
just ahead of them had delayed them, and they were 
hungry and in anything but good humor. Xeverthe- 
less they took a carriage and were driven straight to 
the Treasury. The professor carried a curiously con¬ 
structed traveling case, of which he was so careful that 
he would not permit the porter on the train, or even 
Mr. Canby, to touch it. 

My instruments, my precious instruments,” he 
said. I dare not trust them to anybody but my¬ 
self.” 

He carried this traveling case to the Treasury, 
and into the private office of the chief of the secret 
service, where he and Mr. Canby were invited the 
moment after their cards went in. Then the door 
closed behind them, and Prof. Finline, Mr. Canby, 
the chief of the secret service, and the mysterious 
traveling case were alone together. 

The consultation must have been an important one. 
Certainly it was long, and two men who have not had 
breakfast are not likely to make consultations long 
under such circumstances unless they are important. 
Before it was over the chief sent for the officer who 
306 



UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


307 


received the package of bills from Dan, and he ap¬ 
peared carrying the package, with the slip of pa¬ 
per wrapped around it, just as it had been handed 
to him by Dan. 

Stay here, Foster,’’ said the chief; ^Sve may 
need to consult you.” 

A few minutes later Foster emerged from the of¬ 
fice and walked quickly toward the cash room. 

That was a curious circumstance,” said he to 
himself; how lucky that I happened to think of it! 
If it should prove important I shall get credit for 
great sagacity, and perhaps get a promotion.” 

He soon returned carrying a large official envelope, 
which seemed to contain a bulky inclosure, and on 
the outside of which was a written memorandum of 
considerable length, including a name and address. 

A half hour later the door opened, and Prof. Fin- 
line and Mr. Canby went to breakfast. Mr. Foster 
returned to the cash room, and the chief of the secret 
service resumed duty at his desk as though nothing 
had happened. 

Later in the day Mr. Canby called at the station 
house and presented to the officer in charge a note 
from the chief of the secret service. In five minutes 
he was in the consultation room, and Dan had been 
brought in from his cell, pale and anxious. Mr. Can¬ 
by carefully closed the door. 

I have called,” said he, on a matter of some 
importance to you. I have a letter from your foster 
sister. Miss Jennie Gordon, which will show you, I 
think, that you can talk freely to me.” 

Dan opened the letter. He read it eagerly and 


308 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


then looked at Mr. Canby. Then turning to the letter 
he read it again more carefully. 

It seems that you and Prof. Silurian were some 
time at my home after I left/’ said he. 

Yes/’ said Mr. Canby, I supposed you under¬ 
stood all about that.” 

!Yo/’ replied Dan; the professor called on us 
for a moment only after we arrived here, but was 
obliged to leave at once for Richmond, and I am sorry 
to say has not returned yet. I suppose from what 
happened in Philadelphia that he has some informa¬ 
tion which is in some way important about this case, 
although I confess I don’t understand it at all.” 

Dan pressed his hand to his forehead as he said 
this, and a look of weariness and anxiety came over 
his face. 

Do you think you could trust me in this mat¬ 
ter ? ” said Mr. Canby hesitatingly. 

I should think I ought to be able to trust you,” 
said Dan, from what I read here.” 

Then I Avant to ask you,” said Mr. Canby, color¬ 
ing as he spoke, if you have with you the copies of 
the wording upon the bills which you made on the 
night that Mr. Gordon brought them home before the 
accident to them? ” 

I think I have,” said Dan sloAvly. “ Yes, I 
think they are in my pocketbook.” 

And does that memorandum contain the num¬ 
bers that were printed on the bills in small red and 
blue figures? ” asked Mr. Canby. 

believe it does,” said Dan reflectively; 
think that I copied them down after the words had 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


309 


been read off to me by Kobert. Yes, I remember 
that be did not call off the numbers, but I just copied 
them myself by looking at the bills after the words 
on them had been written.’’ 

And would yon be willing to let me have those 
memoranda? ” 

Dan looked long and steadily at Mr. Canby, who 
had asked these questions with ill-concealed evidence 
of anxiety. Then he took from his pocket Jennie’s 
letter and read it over again. 

I can see no objection to it,” said he. I have 
done nothing in this matter from first to last which I 
have reason to conceal.” 

A few minutes later Mr. Canby with a look of 
triumph on his face entered the Treasury Building, 
and was soon closeted with Prof. Magnifir Finline, the 
chief of the secret service, and the mysterious travel¬ 
ing case. 


s 


CHAPTER XXIY. 



The following morning saw Dan transferred from 
the cell to the court room. It was a gloomy day, 
rainy without, damp and chilly within. 

The case was to he tried at once. Colonel Ran- 
secker had joined him and now sat beside him. He 
looked anxious. 

I don’t know what more to do at present,” said 
he. It seems that misfortune is bound to follow 
you in this matter. Just as you were arrested in 
Philadelphia your uncle met with that terrible acci¬ 
dent, and now that you need him again he is too ill 
to be consulted. The worry over your arrest had 
thrown him into a high fever, and the doctor refuses 
to let me see him. I can only tell the court these 
facts and ask continuance of the case until we can get 
further light upon the subject.” 

Have you heard from Prof. Silurian? ” said Dan 
anxiously. 

Xo, I have no idea where to address him, for, 
you know, his telegram to you from Richmond did not 
indicate where he was going. Even Mr. Chilton, 
who, I believe, would help us, has disappeared, and T 
can not learn where he is.” 

A few minutes later the case was called, and Dan 
310 


( 




Tlie Library of Congress. 



























UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


311 


and Colonel Ransecker occupied seats just in front 
of the judge. The scene seemed not unfamiliar to 
Dan. There was the same high desk with a stern¬ 
looking judge sitting behind it, the same rows of star¬ 
ing spectators, and the inevitable crier, who had 
opened court with the same announcement made in 
the Philadelphia court room by Wizen Face. Beside 
the judge sat another man, whose face seemed 
strangely familiar to Dan. 

Who is the man sitting beside the judge? he 
whispered to Colonel Ransecker; seems to me I have 
seen him somewhere.’’ 

^W^es,” said the colonel gravely, you have; 
that’s Judge Solium, of Philadelphia. It is evidently 
the intention to try the case for stealing the die at 
the same time that the one relating to counterfeit 
money is considered. My worst fears are to he real¬ 
ized.’’ 

Dan did not answer. His eyes wandered from the 
judge’s desk to the benches near the witness box. 

There’s Officer Yankurn,” he whispered excit¬ 
edly to Colonel Ransecker. 

Yes,” said that gentleman, and Mr. Haliday, 
too. They have evidently brought the entire machin¬ 
ery of the Philadelphia case here, and we shall have 
to face everything at once.” 

Officer Yankurn, who observed that he was the 
subject of this whispered colloquy, grinned malicious¬ 
ly. He had not forgotten the incidents of the close 
of the case at Philadelphia, and now welcomed an 
opportunity to get even ” with Dan and his counsel. 

Just as the case was to begin several persons en- 


312 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


tered the court room, among them two ladies dressed 
in black, whose faces were concealed by heavy veils, 
and Dan found himself wondering why ladies should 
want to attend such a place on such a morning, when 
the sharp tones of the crier demanding order in 
court drew his attention to the details of the case. 

After a short consultation between the two judges, 
during which, they looked sharply at Dan several 
times, the presiding judge announced that the two 
cases would be heard together, and as he had not 
heard the witnesses in the Philadelphia case they 
Avould be first heard. Mr. Haliday was put on the 
witness stand, and was followed by Officer Yankum, 
their statements being substantially the same as those 
made at the Philadelphia hearing. Then Mr. Foster, 
the official of the cash room, who received the bills 
from Dan’s hands, was called. He testified as to the 
details of the event, bearing strongly on the agitation 
of Dan when he offered the bills, and the whispered 
advice of his companions, in which they urged him 
not to be nervous. He stated that the bills were un¬ 
doubtedly counterfeits, and that, too, of a very dan¬ 
gerous class, making the arrest, in his opinion, a very 
important one. The witnesses were questioned in de¬ 
tail by the judge and the counsel for the Government, 
and cross-questioned by Colonel Kansecker, and the 
hearing of the prosecution ” occupied much more 
time than it has taken to tell it. 

And now,” said the judge to Colonel Pansecker, 
what have you to offer in defense as against these 
grave charges? ” 

1 have some important witnesses, your Honor,” 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


313 


said Colonel Ransecker, but unfortunately I am un¬ 
able to present them to-day. The uncle of this young 
man, the only friend he has in AYashington, is sick 
and unable to appear, and two other persons whom 
I desire to call are absent, and I have been unable to 
reach them by telegraph, though I have made every 
effort to do so. I desire to ask a continuance of the 
case.’^ 

The judge looked stern. Judge Solium’s brow 
darkened, and he quickly leaned over and whispered 
something to the presiding judge. They consulted in 
low tones for a moment, and it was apparent that the 
request for a continuation of the case did not impress 
them favorably. 

This request,” said the judge, speaking sharply, 
does not seem to the court a reasonable one. A 
considerable time has elapsed since the last offense, 
and a much longer time since the first one. The court 
learns that the case in Philadelphia, which was an ex¬ 
tremely grave one, was postponed on a similar claim: 
that the mysterious uncle of the prisoner was sick, and 
that the other mysterious witnesses would make some 
important disclosures, l^ow that the time has been 
given, the uncle is still sick and the important wit¬ 
nesses are still missing. The honorable judge of the 
Philadelphia court has come here to be present on 
this occasion, as have also these witnesses. It is not 
reasonable that the case should be again delayed. It 
must proceed at once.” 

Dan’s heart seemed to stand still. The admirable 
courage with which he had been sustained in his 
sharpest afflictions seemed about to give way. Colonel 
22 


314 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


Kansecker rose to address the court, when a voice, 
the voice of a woman, broke the silence of the court 
room. As it fell upon Dan’s ears his heart gave a 
great leap and the blood mounted to his face. 

Judge,” said the voice pleadingly, I beg that 
you will not end this case without the presence of the 
witnesses of whom this gentleman speaks. I believe 
they are possessed of information which will show 
that this young man is innocent of the charges against 
him.” 

The two judges looked at the speaker with aston¬ 
ishment. Dan turned quickly, his hand clasped that 
of Colonel Eansecker, and he struggled to control his 
emotions. At least he had one friend, and the one 
who at every trying moment had expressed her belief 
in his innocence. 

Sallie! ” he ejaculated in a tone tremulous with 
excitement. Miss Dennison here and again assert¬ 
ing her belief in my innocence! ” 

He had spoken the full name to inform Colonel 
Eansecker of the identity of tlie person thus appeal¬ 
ing, for her face was still concealed by the heavy 
black veil, which in a moment carried Dan’s thoughts 
to the tragic event of which he had read but a short 
time before, and which had made her doubly an 
orphan. 

Miss Dennison,” said Colonel Eansecker in as¬ 
tonishment; but what does she know about the case 
and the facts which these witnesses would prove? ” 
That question was evidently the one uppermost 
in the minds of the judges, for after recovering from 
their astonishment the presiding official looked at the 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


315 


still standing but silent figure and then at Colonel 
Ransecker, and said; 

Who is this person who interrupts the proceed¬ 
ings of this court in such a manner, and what has she 
to offer in this case ? ’’ 

I had not intended to offer myself as a witness,’^ 
said Miss Dennison, for it really was she, because 
I believe that others, if they were here, could tell much 
more than I can. But I do not think the case ought 
to be finished without hearing them, for I believe 
that they will not only show this young man to be 
innocent, but that another, who has rendered at least 
one happy home desolate and driven one brave man 
to his death, is the real culprit, and that he is trying 
to destroy the reputation of this young man for his 
own advantage.’’ 

Her voice, which trembled as she began, rang 
out clearly as she spoke the words driven one brave 
man to his death.” She threw aside her veil, and 
the judges and spectators saw a young woman with 
a pale, delicate face set off with golden hair. The 
other woman who sat beside her, also veiled, made a 
movement as if to rise. 

This case can not be interrupted in this way,” 
said the judge, rapping sharply and looking at Colonel 
Ransecker. This young woman evidently does not 
understand the rules of evidence. The mere belief 
on her part that the prisoner is not guilty does not 
weigh in the matter unless she has some definite infor¬ 
mation to offer.” 

Colonel Ransecker reflected and whispered a mo¬ 
ment with Dan. He did not know what this un- 


316 


UXCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


expected witness might testify. Yet there seemed no 
likelihood that the situation could be made worse, since 
the judge would not consent to a delay in the case. 

I request, your Honor,” said he, that this 
young woman be permitted to state what she knows 
about the case. The court may see the importance 
then of the delay requested until the witnesses can 
be produced.” 

Let her take the witness stand then,” said the 
judge, rather unwillingly. You may make your 
statement from where you stand, if you prefer,” said 
he in a more kindly tone, seeing the embarrass¬ 
ment of the young woman thus called upon to testify 
in this manner. What is your name and what is it 
you know about the case? ” 

“ I know,” said she, after giving her name and 
residence, “ that this young man was sent to Wash¬ 
ington with bills which his family believed to be genu¬ 
ine. I know that he traveled on the train with my 
uncle, and that the valise containing the bills was 
in his charge as baggage master. I know that a man 
who lives in a mysterious way, with apartments which 
he guards from every e^^e but his own, followed him 
hastily and traveled on the same train with him. T 
know that the uncle of this prisoner ”—she spoke the 
word as though it were a painful one to her—be¬ 
lieved that this man who followed him was a coun¬ 
terfeiter, and that he was trying to get possession of 
the valise. I know that there was a railroad accident 
in which my uncle was killed and Mr. Patterson badly 
injured, and that the valise then passed into the hands 
of the man of whom I have spoken. I know that 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


317 


Mr. Patterson, the uncle of the prisoner, expressed 
his belief during his illness that the die was really 
stolen by that man, whom he believed to be a coun¬ 
terfeiter, and in some way transferred to the pocket 
of this young man.’^ 

All of which,’’ said the judge, rapping, is not 
testimony. You believe that somebody who trav¬ 
eled with this prisoner is a counterfeiter, and that 
somebody else believes that he had something to do 
with the crimes charged against this person. But 
that does not prove anything.” 

Does it not prove enough to lead the court to 
consent to a delay of the case? ” said Colonel Kan- 
seckef. 

Yot unless there is reason to believe that the 
missing witnesses can prove these things charged,” 
said the judge firmly. 

Then,” said Miss Dennison, moving forward, 
I must ask the court to allow me to make a further 
statement, which I hoped to leave to others. My 
aunt has been for some time employed at the residence 
of Mr. Addison, whose home is near this young man 
and not far from my own. I occasionally visited my 
aunt. Although Mr. Addison had no business, he 
lived in an expensive manner, and I observed that 
he never permitted anybody to enter his private office, 
which was located in a stone building with heavily 
barred windows and bolted doors, a short distance 
from his house. I visited my aunt at this residence 
the day after he passed my own home on the same 
train with this prisoner, who had started to Wash¬ 
ington with the bills for exchange. During the day 


318 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


I happened to find the door of his office opened and 
the interior in apparent confusion. On the desk were 
a number of five-hundred-dollar bills, an open ink- 
stand, and some brushes. There were also some smaller 
bills in packages. I entered, thinking to take care 
of the valuable articles and close the door until his 
return. A desk against which I happened to lean 
moved aside, and I fell through an opening in the 
floor just where it stood. When I regained conscious¬ 
ness I was in a cave, from which I was assisted by a 
gentleman who gave his name as Prof. Silurian, and 
who with his companions were lost in the cave. They 
managed to get out by the way of Mr. Addison^s of¬ 
fice, but not until discoveries were made which I be¬ 
lieve will show that the cave was used for counter¬ 
feiting purposes.’’ 

But what evidence have you that this man Ad¬ 
dison deals in counterfeit money?” said the judge, 
who had grown interested. 

Because,” said the young woman, with a su¬ 
preme effort—because I have here in my possession 
a number of counterfeit bills which he gave my father 
in payment of ^ debts of honor ’, so called, the result of 
a gambling game into which he led my father, and 
which resulted in making me an orphan.” 

She buried her face in her hands as she said this 
and sank sobbing into her seat. 

As she did so a young man, with light hair and 
blue eyes, who sat on the other side of the court room, 
arose and said: 

I desire also to be heard in this case, your Honor. 
I was present when this young lady was rescued in 


UNCLE SAM’S SECKETS. 


319 


the cave by Prof. Silurian, and know that the coun¬ 
terfeiting instruments were found by him at that time, 
and that there was every evidence that they were a 
part of the machinery of Mr. Addison^s office, which 
was connected by a rope ladder with this otherwise 
almost impenetrable cavern.’’ 


CHAPTEE XXY. 


Mr. Patterson was a very sick man. His anxiety 
over the arrest of Dan and the inability to communi¬ 
cate with those who might aid in this extremity had 
broken down the little strength he had regained. He 
lay upon his bed, tossing from side to side, the high 
fever sending strange fancies through his brain. 
Sometimes he talked of Dan, sometimes he seemed 
to be again in the accident which so nearly cost him 
his life; then with an enormous bound his imagination 
took him back a quarter of a century to the scenes on 
the battlefield and that mad charge where he received 
the blow which placed his name in the list of killed 
in action.’’ Then, as a natural sequence, his thoughts 
seemed to turn to the long hospital experience and ina¬ 
bility to hear from the one whom he prized more than 
life, and the watchful nurse heard -him murmur again 
and again a strange name, the name of a woman. Then 
there were tears, blessed tears, which seemed to relieve 
for the moment the tension upon brain and nerves, 
and he passed into a more tranquil condition, which 
might last a few minutes or hours. 

There was a gentle knock at the door. The nurse 
opened it, with finger upon his lips. Colonel Ean- 
secker entered and glanced anxiously at the sick man. 

320 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 321 

One look at the pale face added to liis anxiety and 
strengthened his determination. 

How is he? ’’ he whispered. 

Bad, very bad/’ said the nurse. His fever is 
very high, and he is out of his head all the time. He 
is talking sometimes of his nephew and sometimes of 
somebody else. He made me go to his desk there 
and get him an old photograph from a drawer which 
liad been locked, and he has been looking at that and 
talking wildly about battles and steamboat explosions 
and the loss of somebody very dear to him.” 

There is a young woman downstairs,” said 
Colonel Bansecker, who was with him in his former 
illness, and I know from his nephew that he is very 
fond of her. Indeed, he has said that it was her at¬ 
tention, and that only, which saved his life after the 
accident. She came with her aunt to testify in be¬ 
half of the young man. The court has consented to 
allow the case to go over until to-morrow, and while 
I spend the night trying to get communication with 
the witnesses I must have I want her to be with this 
man. She may be able to save him again. Her aunt 
is here with her and will remain within call. The 
physician says they must not both be in the room, but 
he desires the young woman who was so successful 
with the patient before to be with him for the pres¬ 
ent. You will, of course, remain and give such atten¬ 
tion as is needed.” 

A few minutes later Miss Dennison was at his 
side. He was sleeping apparently, and her noiseless 
footstep did not disturb him. But somehow her very 
presence seemed to have its effect, and soon the lines 


322 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


of pain seemed to disappear in part, and the nurse ob¬ 
served that he appeared better. Soon his eyes opened 
and fell upon Sallie’s face as she sat at his bedside. 
He started and his lips moved. Then he gazed at 
her with a strange look in his eyes. But he did not 
speak. Soon his eyes closed, but when Sallie looked 
at him again they were wide open, and that look was 
again in them. Then he raised his fevered hand and 
extended it. 

I am glad to see you, Mr. Patterson,^’ said Sallie 
as she took his hand. I think you will be better 
soon.” 

^‘Dorothy!” said the sick man eagerly—Doro¬ 
thy, is that you? Have I found you at last? ” 

Sallie did not answer. She saw in a moment that 
his mind was wandering. She leaned forward and 
gently laid her hand upon his forehead. 

The touch seemed to thrill him. His eyes, which 
had begun to close, opened again, and a smile passed 
over his countenance. 

O Dorothy!” he said, thank God that you 
have come. I have suffered so long. That awful blow 
on the battlefield almost killed me and caused me to be 
reported as dead. Then I lay so long in hospital and 
prison, and all the time unable to hear from you or 
get letters to you. Then when I Avent home they told 
me that you were dead, Dorothy. They said the 
steamer you were on had exploded and sunk. But I 
hoped it was not so. I hunted the world over for you, 
but could not find you—the world is so big, and one 
person so very little. How did you find me, Doro¬ 
thy?” 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


323 


lie pressed her hand, and with a smile on his lips 
relapsed into unconsciousness. But his words had 
started a new train of thoughts in Sallie’s mind. 

How strange! said she to herself. He called 
me Dorothy and talked of the battlefield, and of being 
reported killed, and of a steamboat explosion. Can it 
be possible? But no, it is foolish to think of it.’^ 

She sat down beside him, still holding his hot, 
wasted hand. But her thoughts were busy, and she 
could not keep out of them the words he had just 
spoken. Only two days ago her aunt, whose name 
was Dorothy Sherwood, had told her the strange, sad 
story of her own life—how her lover had gone to the 
war, had fallen in battle and been buried among the 
thousands of unknown dead,’^ how her own home 
had been destroyed by the fortunes of the war, how 
after taking passage on the steamer her life had been 
saved as by a miracle, and how she had always lived sin¬ 
gle and lonely, determined to be faithful unto death to 
her first and only love. She had told this to Sallie 
in those terrible days after Mr. Dennison’s death, 
when the aunt, hastening from the Addison castle, 
had come to her side to render her what comfort she 
might. Then Sallie, as she thought of this, remem¬ 
bered with a start that it was the name of Patterson 
which had led her aunt to tell the story of her life, 
because it was the same name as that of her dead hero 
lover. 

The involuntary movement which accompanied 
this new thought awakened Mr. Patterson, whose hand 
she still held. He opened his eyes and smiled gently. 

You are still here, are you not, Dorothy?” he 


324 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


said; ‘‘it is so good of you to come to me after all 
these years. But it was not my fault, Dorothy. The 
post office was destroyed and the letters I wrote you 
could not reach you. I tried so hard to get word to 
you that I was still alive. I never forgot you for a 
moment, and have kept your picture all the time 
where I could look at it. See,’’ he said as he drew a 
faded photograph from under his pillow—see, I have 
it with me now; the same that you gave me, with 
your name upon it, the day I started to the war.” 

Sallie glanced at the photograph, and her heart 
gave a great leap. It was the picture of a young girl 
of about her own age, but in it she could see at once 
the lines which years of sorrow and pain had changed 
but not obliterated. Beneath the picture, in a hand 
which she instantly recognized as that of her aunt, 
was written the name Dorothy Sherwood.” She 
understood all now. She had been often told that 
she resembled her aunt, and especially the appearance 
of her youthful days. It was apparent that this re¬ 
semblance had furnished the key to unlock the mys¬ 
tery and reunite these hearts which had so long suf¬ 
fered—so near in fact and yet so widely separated. 

Her hand trembled as she took the picture, and 
she dared not trust herself to speak. Mr. Patterson 
smiled, and his eyes slowly closed. 

Turning quickly to the nurse. Miss Dennison said: 

Go at once to the parlor and tell my aunt to come 
to me. Hever mind what the doctor said about two 
persons. Her presence will save this man’s life. 
Bring her here at once; then leave us alone.” 






Specie vaults, United States Treasury, Washington, D. C. 



CHAPTER XXYL 


The siin was struggling through the clouds when 
the case of Daniel Patterson was called the next morn¬ 
ing. Colonel Ransecker was beside his client, and 
there was a better look upon his face. The physician 
had just informed him that Mr. Patterson was greatly 
improved and on the road to quick recovery. And 
that was not all. In his hand he held a telegram 
announcing that the two men he most wanted to see 
would arrive on the morning train. The promise 
was kept, and before the business of the court had 
proceeded far Prof. Silurian and Mr. Chilton entered. 
They wwe accompanied by Prof. Magnifir Einline 
and Mr. Canby. 

Your Honor,” said Colonel Ransecker, rising, 
the delay of tw^enty-four hours, which the court was 
good enough to grant at the request of this young 
Avoman, has resulted in the arrival of our Avitnesses. 
We are now ready to proceed, and are entirely con¬ 
tent to waive our right of a jury trial and to submit 
the case to the court at once.” 

The judges consulted a moment and then indi¬ 
cated a readiness for the presentation of the case. 

We shall try to prove,” said Colonel Ransecker^ 
that one Wallace Addison, a neighbor of the de- 
325 


326 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


fendant in West Virginia, is a counterfeiter; that he 
followed this young man from his home for the pur¬ 
pose of putting counterfeit bills in the place of the 
good ones with which he started, and succeeded in 
doing so; that this Addison stole the die from the 
Mint and placed it in this young man’s pocket to pre¬ 
vent being captured with it in his own hands; and 
that this young man is therefore innocent of the two 
grave charges made against him.” 

Call the first witness,” said the judge, with a 
skeptical look on his face. 

Prof. Silurian took the stand and told in detail 
the story of his trip through the cave; the finding of 
the young woman, whose appeal of the preceding day 
caused the delay of the case; the escape of the party 
by way of the rope ladder leading to Mr. Addison’s 
office; and his own examination of the mysterious in¬ 
struments in the cavern after the remaining members 
of the party had ascended. 

I found there,” said he, undoubted evidence 
that the instruments were used for producing counter¬ 
feit money. There were presses, inks, and finely en¬ 
graved plates immersed in oil so that the moisture of 
the cave would not effect them. There w^ere plates 
for five-hundred-dollar bills and others of a smaller de¬ 
nomination. I could also trace on some of the plates 
the lines of a thumb, as though the person handling 
them had carelessly allowed the moisture from his 
thumb to remain, and this had caused the lines to be¬ 
come marked by the rust. They were not deep, of 
course, but visible, and probably would leave a faint 
trace of their work on the bills printed from the plate. 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


327 


I also became possessed, at another time and place, of 
a sheet of paper wrapped about an article brought to 
Mr. Gordon’s daughter by Mr. Addison on his return, 
which showed by words printed upon it that, although 
Mr. Addison professed that he had been in Chicago 
immediately following the absence of this young man, 
he had in fact been in AYashington.” 

And now,” said Colonel Kansecker, I call Mr. 
Horace Chilton, a distinguished officer of the Govern¬ 
ment.” 

Mr. Chilton took the stand and told how Dan had 
joined his uncle on the train to travel to AVashington 
for the purpose of getting the bills exchanged; how 
Mr. Addison had made his appearance on the same 
train; how it had been possible for him, through the 
co-operation of Dan and Mr. Patterson, to get some 
bills from Addison, which proved to be counterfeit; 
how Addison had tried to get possession of Dan’s valise 
on the train, and finally succeeded at the time of the 
accident; how he himself arrested Air. Addison al¬ 
most in the act of stealing the die, but failed to find it 
in his possession. 

As soon as the die was found in this young man’s 
pocket,” said Air. Chilton, I remembered that Air. 
Addison stumbled and partially fell against him as he 
ran past him in the Alint. I believed from that mo¬ 
ment that he had dropped the die in the pocket of 
this entirely innocent young man in order both to 
prevent being taken with it in his possession, and also 
to give this prisoner a bad reputation when he should 
present the counterfeit bills Addison was then trying 
to get into his possession. But I had no way to prove 


328 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


it. I liad the die subjected to a careful examination 
by a microscopist of the highest repute. While it was 
being done I obtained the impression of the thumb 
of this young man by getting him to help me seal a 
package while he was awaiting trial. After long- 
efforts I also succeeded in obtaining the impression 
of Mr. Addison’s thumb upon some playing cards. 
All these I have submitted to the most distinguished 
microscopist in the country, Prof. Magnifir Pinline, 
and desire to lay his testimony before the court.” 

AYe now desire to present the testimony of Prof. 
Magnifir Finline,” said Colonel Ransecker. 

Prof. Magnifir Finline took the stand. He bowed 
to the court and glanced in the direction of Sallie, 
for he had an eye for the beautiful, whether under 
the microscope or elsewhere. 

I have examined the various articles submitted 
to me,” said he, with the object of determining 
whether the marks on them were made by the same 
thumb. I first desire to say that I have for many 
years studied this question of the capillary ridges of the 
hand, and find them an accurate and unerring guide 
in matters of this character, ^ot only have I made 
this study alone, but many other more distin¬ 
guished persons than myself have done so and 
with like results. It is well known that Sir AYil- 
liam Herschel made long and careful studies of 
this subject in India, upon the natives of the country 
and others, comparing the lines of the thumb or fingers 
at various times. He found that in a period of four¬ 
teen years there was no change in many individuals 
tested, and that there were thirty points of agreement 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


329 


and none of disagreement. By magnifying these 
marks and photographing the enlarged view of them, 
it is possible to study them at leisure and with great 
accuracy of detail and comparison. This subject has 
been so carefully and thoroughly studied that there 
can be no doubt of its value and accuracy as a test in 
cases of this kind.’’ 

You need not discuss that question farther,” 
said the judge. Go on with the facts that you have 
developed in the case.” 

The professor bowed. I find,” said he, that 
the lines made by the thumb of Daniel Patterson on 
this piece of sealing wax, as submitted to me by Mr. 
Chilton, are not found on the die which was taken 
from his pocket. I spent much time in its examina¬ 
tion. It was covered with a thin film of oil, so that 
the mark of every hand that touched it was left dis¬ 
tinctly upon it. I am willing to stake my reputation 
that the thumb that made the impression upon this 
bit of sealing wax, marked ^ Daniel Patterson,’ did not 
make any of the marks which I found plainly im¬ 
pressed upon the die.” 

There was a visible sensation in the court rooru 
as he said this. The two judges looked at each other. 
Officer Yankum’s face was a study. Mr. Haliday was 
radiant. 

I find,” said the professor, continuing, that 
the thumb which made the impression on these cards 
marked ^Addison’ corresponds in every particular with 
marks upon the die. There were marks of two thumbs 
on the die; one of these was that of Officer Yankum, 
who took the die from the pocket of the prisoner, and 
23 


330 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


whose thumb mark w^as also submitted to me wdthout 
his knowledge. The other, which was made prior to 
handling of the die by Yankum, was without doubt 
by the same thumb which made the marks upon these 
cards marked ^ Addison.’ ” 

The professor paused. 

That seems to dispose of the case of the die,” 
said the judge, but I don’t see its bearing upon the 
counterfeit bills which this young man was taken in 
the very act of presenting, and w^hich is part of this 
case.” 

Those bills,” continued the professor, wwe 
printed from engraved plates found in the cave be¬ 
neath Mr. Addison’s private office. Upon the plate I 
find the marks of a thumb exactly corresponding with 
that upon the cards marked ^ Addison,’ and with those 
upon the die. I also find with a powerful instrument 
the same lines faintly produced upon the bills them¬ 
selves in a variety of places, the result of the handling 
in the printing process.” 

But even if they w^ere printed by Addison and 
from a plate in his possession, it does not prove that 
this prisoner, who is Addison’s neighbor and perhaps 
confederate, w^as not attempting to pass them,” said the 
judge. 

I think w^e shall be able to satisfy your Honor 
on that point,” said Colonel Kansecker. It has been 
shown that Addison' tried repeatedly to get possession 
of this young man’s valise containing the bills with 
w’hich he started from home, and at the time of the 
accident did take possession of it, after assisting in 
handling the body of the dead baggageman; and 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


331 


that he, after disappearing from view, replaced the 
valise among the baggage. The package of bills, it 
is in evidence, was wrapped before the prisoner started 
from home with them in a slip of paper bearing the 
name of Reuben Gordon, the owner of the bills. I 
will now ask the witness if he examined that paper 
and with what result.’’ 

I find upon that slip of paper,” said Prof. Fin- 
line, a thumb print, traced in human blood, corre¬ 
sponding in every particular with that upon the cards 
marked ^ Addison,’ and identical with those upon the 
die and the counterfeit plates and bills. This im¬ 
pression upon the paper in which the original bills 
were wrapped and which surrounded the counterfeit 
bills offered at the Treasury by the prisoner I have 
studied with great care. There can be no doubt that 
the impression upon this paper is made by the same 
thumb which made the imprint upon these cards, and 
upon the die and plate, and also upon the counterfeit 
bills which this young woman had placed in evidence 
as given to her father by Addison, and which I have 
just examined.” 

The judge was silent for a moment. Then he 
consulted with Judge Solium. It was apparent that 
they were both greatly impressed with this testimony. 

I will now ask you with reference to the second 
package of bills submitted to you by the Treasury 
officials,” said Colonel Ransecker, with the air of a 
man who is about to make his final effort. 

There was submitted to me,” said the professor, 
another package of ink-stained bills, which the offi¬ 
cers of the Treasury state were left for exchange 


332 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


by a person giving bis name as Wallace Addison. 
Upon these I found the thumb marks traced in blood, 
and I am informed that they were presented for ex¬ 
change the morning after the accident which resulted 
in the death of Baggageman Dennison.’^ 

That is not competent testimony,’’ said the 
judge. State what you know only.” 

‘‘ I now desire to call Mr. Foster, the official who 
received the bills in question,” said Colonel Kan- 
secker. 

Mr. Foster took the stand. “ I received two pack¬ 
ages of ink-stained bills,” said he. The first one 
was presented by a gentlemanly looking person, who 
said that they had been defaced by an accident and 
he desired an exchange. I told him that owing to 
their complete defacement and the large sum they 
represented, I could not redeem them at once as they 
must be carefully examined, a process which delays 
payment several days. He seemed very much put 
out about it, but finally decided to leave them and 
call for the money. I observed that he seemed un¬ 
willing to give his name and address when asked for 
it, but as it was one of the rules of the office I was 
compelled to insist upon it, and he gave them finally, 
saying that I might express the money to him when 
the examination was completed. I found them genu¬ 
ine and was about to send him new ones for them 
when this second package of bills came in, and have 
delayed action in this particular.” 

I now call Mr. Canby,” said Colonel Kansecker, 
looking across the court room. 

Then Mr. Canby took the stand, detailing his 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


333 


knowledge of tlie good bills as learned at Mr. Gordon’s 
home; how Dan had made copies of the bills, and 
even the serial numbers on them; how it was impos¬ 
sible that anybody overhearing the description of the 
bills that night could have learned the serial numbers, 
because Dan had copied them without having them 
called off to him; how he had obtained these copies 
and compared them with the bills presented by Mr. 
Addison and found them corresponding in every par¬ 
ticular. 

I now produce,” said he, memoranda made by 
the prisoner on the night Mr. Gordon brought the 
bills home, and desire the court to compare them with 
the bills presented by Mr. Addison for exchange at 
the Treasury. I desire to add that I have in posses¬ 
sion a duplicate of these slips made by the defendant’s 
foster sister. Miss Jennie Gordon, which she made 
with admirable forethought just before his departure, 
without his knowledge, in the thought that they might 
be of importance in case of accident. These she in¬ 
trusted to me. I find them corresponding in every 
particular with the originals and with the bills them¬ 
selves.” 

The examination of the good bills presented by 
Mr. Canby was quickly made and the test pronounced 
perfect. Then Colonel Kansecker rose to address the 
court. 

I do not think it necessary to go much into de¬ 
tail in this argument,” said he. The testimony pre¬ 
sented by these intelligent and perfectly creditable 
witnesses seems to me to make clear that Wallace Ad¬ 
dison is a counterfeiter; that he followed this prisoner 


334 


UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 


for tlie purpose of substituting counterfeit bills for 
the good ones and succeeded in doing so; also that 
he placed the stolen die in defendant’s pocket for 
the double purpose of ridding himself of it and injur¬ 
ing the character of the defendant. We have shown, 
your Honor, that Wallace Addison traveled on the 
train with this prisoner; that Mr. Chilton, by a detec¬ 
tive’s methods, then obtained certain bills from him 
which proved to be counterfeit. We have also shown 
that Mr. Addison made various attempts to obtain 
possession of the prisoner’s valise which contained 
the good bills with which he started from home, and 
that at the time of the accident he did obtain it, dis¬ 
appearing with it for a time. We have shown that 
this valise bears upon it the thumb marks of Mr. Ad¬ 
dison; also that the paper which was wrapped about 
the bills in the valise bears his thumb prints in human 
blood, as do also the good bills presented by him at 
the Treasury the very morning after the accident. We 
have shown that the bills he then* presented were the 
very ones with which the prisoner left home, as is 
proved by the serial numbers upon them. It is thus 
apparent that Mr. Addison must himself have taken 
these bills from the valise in which the defendant had 
placed them. Baggageman Dennison, the uncle of 
the young girl who yesterday made her state¬ 
ment in this case, knowing the value of the valise, 
gave his life in attempting to protect it, yet his blood, 
from the hands of the man who handled his body in 
order to get possession of the valise, rises as a silent 
witness to prevent the consummation of this crime 
and convict the man who had almost carried it out. 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


335 


We have shown that the counterfeit bills which the 
prisoner innocently presented at the Treasury were 
beyond question printed from plates found under Mr. 
Addison’s office, and that these plates and bills had 
been handled by the same hand which left its impress 
upon the cards obtained from Addison by Mr. Chil¬ 
ton; also that these bills bore Mr. Addison’s thumb 
prints in human blood, and that they must not only 
have been produced by him but also placed in the 
valise by him at the time he took the good bills from 
it. As to the die found in the prisoner’s pocket, 
we have shown that it was never handled by him, 
but that it had been handled by Addison, who had 
ample opportunity to place it in the prisoner’s 
pocket after he was seen to take possession of it in the 
Mint.” 

Colonel Ransecker paused. He had spoken with 
great earnestness but calm deliberation, for to him 
every point in the chain of evidence seemed perfectly 
clear. Dan looked at him with grateful astonishment, 
for he had been so reticent during the progress of the 
preceding events that this clear, vigorous, and ener¬ 
getic statement was a gratifying surprise. 

I shall now ask,” said Colonel Ransecker, first, 
that the prisoner be acquitted of the charge of steal¬ 
ing the die; second, that he be acquitted of the charge 
of knowingly presenting counterfeit bills; third, that 
the new bills which were about to be sent to Mr. Ad¬ 
dison in exchange for the good ones presented by him 
be paid to Daniel Patterson, to whom they rightfully 
belong.” 

The judges put their heads together, and the spec- 


336 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


tators waited eagerly but confidently. They were not 
disappointed. 

This has been a most remarkable case/’ said the 
judge, and one of great interest and importance. 
This young man has undergone a series of attempts 
to place upon him charges which would have black¬ 
ened his character for life. The testimony presented 
to-day seems to fully acquit him of all those charges, 
and I am glad to learn from Judge Solium, Mr. Hali- 
day, and Colonel Ransecker that, besides returning 
home without a stain upon his character and with 
his task fully accomplished, he also carries with him 
a stock of information about affairs of the nation such 
as any young man or woman in any walk of life might 
be proud to possess. The prisoner is acquitted, and 
the officers of the Treasury will turn over to him the 
new bills to take the place of the genuine ones with 
which he started, but which were stolen from him on 
the way.” 


There was no scene at the close of this remarkable 
case. When Colonel Ransecker turned to his client 
he found his face turned upward and his lips moving 
in a silent prayer of thankfulness. The congratula¬ 
tions which followed were earnest but of a very quiet 
order. 

R’ow let me go to my uncle,” said Dan, as he 
grasped Sallie’s hand. I want to tell him the good 
news.” 

Your uncle,” said Sallie, smiling through her 
tears of joy, has had a great deal of good news of 



UNCLE SAM’S SECEETS. 337 

late. He has found liis long-lost love of whom he 
told you; she is my Aunt Dorothy.’’ 

And that is how it happened,” said Dan, that 
the faded photograph which he cherished looked so 
much like you. Well, I shall not be jealous of my 
uncle any longer, now that I know why he so much 
admired you.” 

Sallie blushed, but she did not seem to be of¬ 
fended by this remark. 

They were just leaving the court room when the 
judge rapped sharply for order. 

I desire to suggest,” said he, looking at Mr. Chil¬ 
ton, that if this Mr. Addison has not been already 
arrested, steps should be taken at once to do so.” 

I am compelled to inform your Honor,” said 
Mr. Chilton, that Mr. Addison escaped the hands 
of the officers who were sent to arrest him, though 
by a method which will doubtless rid the community 
of him quite as effectually. I have just received a 
telegram giving the result in detail. The officers 
found that he had taken refuge in the cave under his 
office. They descended by the rope ladder which he 
had used, and were about to capture him when he 
attempted to escape by crossing a stream in the cave, 
over which a narrow ledge of rocks had extended. 
These rocks, it appears, had fallen into the stream dur¬ 
ing his absence through an accident which occurred 
upon the visit of Prof. Silurian and his party to the 
cave, and while Mr. Addison attempted to cross upon 
them in the darkness of the cave he plunged into the 
stream and was instantly swept away by the swift cur¬ 
rent, passing out of sight under the side of the cavern. 


338 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


The imdergroiind course of that stream after it leaves 
the cavern is unknown, and not even his body has 
been found.’’ 


Four happy people left Washington on the west¬ 
bound train the next day. They were Daniel Patter¬ 
son and Miss Sallie Dennison, and Thomas Patterson 
and Miss Dorothy Sherwood. Dan carried in his 
pocket $2,500 in new bills, the gold pieces which had 
been coined for him at the Mint, the numerous mem¬ 
oranda which he had made in his extensive inquiries, 
and a book full of statistics and other information 
which Colonel Ransecker had given him with which 
to pursue his studies of things national and interna¬ 
tional. Mr. Patterson, still weak, was gaining 
strength rapidly, and Dan declared was getting young 
again. 

As they boarded the train Mr. Chilton handed 
Sallie a large official envelope, which proved to contain 
a commission as postmistress at Minersville, to suc¬ 
ceed her father, Samuel Dennison, who nobly gave 
his life to rescue others.” 


The next day’s papers announced that Mr. Chilton 
had left for Alaska, where he had been sent on a ten 
years’ service at his own request. 




INDEX. 


Adams, John, President, term of 
service and party represented, 
272. 

Adams, J. Q., President, term of 
service and party represented, 
272 ; elected President by House 
of Representatives, 281. 

Africa, geological relation to Eu¬ 
rope, 51. 

Alaska, glaciers in, 64. 

Algiers, war of United States with, 
245. 

Alloy of coins, cause, 88. 

Alloy of precious metals in coins, 88. 

Anti-Federalist party in United 
States politics, 268. 

Armies of the world, strength and 
how recruited, 246. 

Armor of war vessels described, 
229. 

Army of United States compared 
with armies of other nations, 246. 

Arthur, President, term of service 
and party represented, 272. 

Artillery, modern, and develop¬ 
ments of, 231. 

Assaying gold and silver, process 
described, 85. 

Australian ballot system described, 
its history and purposes, 211. 


Ballot system, when adopted in 
the United States, 216. 

Banking, its origin and early his¬ 
tory, 137; in the United States, 
early history, 143-147. 

Banks, “pet,” 144, 147. 

Barbary States, war of United 
States with, 245. 

Battle ships, modern, described, 
229. 

“Bills of credit,” when first issued, 
126. 

Bimetallism defined, 167. 

Boston “tea party,” 79. 

British invasion of Washington 
city, 241. 

“Broad constructionists,” in na¬ 
tional politics, 268. 

Buchanan, President, term of serv¬ 
ice and party represented, 272. 

Cannon, modern, 231. 

Capitol, United States, burned'by 
British troops, 241; cost of, 240. 

Carbonic-acid gas, its effect upon 
limestone, 46. 

Carpenter’s Hall, Philadelphia, 
meeting place of first Conti¬ 
nental Congress, 78. 

Cave study and its lessons, 49. 


3J9 





340 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


Caves, how formed, 45. 

Census, its purposes and how taken, 
197. 

Cleveland, President, terms of 
service and party rei:)resented, 
272. 

Coinage of gold and silver de¬ 
scribed, 91. 

Coins in United States, early his¬ 
tory, 125; the first authorized by 
Congress, 127, 146: weight and 
fineness changed, 129,146; mi¬ 
nor, history, weight, etc., 155; of 
the United States, weight, num¬ 
ber in circulation, etc., 159; 
legal-tender quality, 158. ' 

Congress, United States, places 
and times of meeting; its travels 
during its early history, 79-83. 

Constitution, its intention relative 
to selection of President pervert¬ 
ed, 277; differences of party 
views as to its construction, 273 ; 
strict and broad construction, 
273; when framed and adopted, 
128. 

Continental Congress, 78-80. 

Courts, United States, history and 
relation to State courts, 180. 

Currency, United States, first is¬ 
sued, 123-130; history of, 123; 
present condition, 146; overpro¬ 
duction, effect of, 257. 

Daily receipts (approximate) of 
Pnited States Government, 208. 

Debt of United States, joer capita^ 
200; compared with other na¬ 
tions, 200. 

Declaration of Independence, 
adoption, 80. 

Democratic party in national poli¬ 
tics, 268. 


Dollar, silver, number in circula¬ 
tion and in Treasury, 159; weight 
of, 7; gold, weight of, 7. 

Education in United States com¬ 
pared with other nations, 201. 

Election laws (Australian) dis¬ 
cussed, 211. 

Election of President by House of 
Representatives, 280. 

Elections, early, in the United 
States, 216. 

Elections without tickets or ballot 
boxes, 216. 

Elective franchise for women, 
where in operation, 215. 

Electoral system in presidential 
elections, 277. 

Electors, presidential, why chosen, 
how system originated, 277. 

England, geological relation to 
European Continent, 51. 

Executive Mansion, its destruction 
by the British, 241. 

Expatriation, doctrine of, 244. 

Expenditures of the United States 
Government, 210. 

Export tax forbidden by Constitu¬ 
tion, 257. 

Farms, average size in United 
States compared with other 
countries, 201. 

Federalists in the political history 
of the United States, 268. 

Fillmore, President, term of serv¬ 
ice and party represented, 272. 

First American paper money (fac¬ 
simile), 140. 

Foreign mails, statistics of, 109. 

Fractional currency, weight of, 170. 

Free coinage of silver, claims of 
supporters and opponents, 167- 
170 . 



INDEX. 


341 


Free delivery system of Post Office 
Department, when established, 
27 

French and Indian War, 242. 

Garfield, President, term of service 
and party represented, 272. 

Ghent, treaty of, 244. 

Glacial period in North America, 61. 

Glaciers, description, 62. 

Glaciers, whei*e found, 62. 

Gold certificates, description and 
history, 35; dollar, weight of, 7. 

Gold and silver, associated by 
Nature, 98 ; process of assaying 
described, 87; standard for cur¬ 
rency when adopted by various 
nations, 168. 

Government, United States, receipts 
and expenditures, 208; receipts, 
amount and how collected, 208 ; 
taxes, how levied and collected, 
208. 

Grains, troy, number in one pound, 

7. 

Grant, President, term of service 
and party represented, 272. 

Greenbacks, description of, and his¬ 
tory, 32. 

Harrison, Benjamin, President, 
term of service and party repre¬ 
sented, 272. 

Harrison, William Henry, Presi¬ 
dent, term of service and party 
represented, 272. 

Hayes, President, term of service 
and party represented, 272. 

House of Kepresentatives, election 
of President by, 280. 

Ice age in North America, 61. 

Ice field, its extent, 66. 


Illiteracy in the United States com¬ 
pared with other nations, 201. 

Internal revenue, how collected, 
209. 

Invasion of Washington city by the 
British, 240. 

Jackson, President, term of service 
and party represented, 272. 

Jefterson, President, term of service 
and party represented, 272 ; 
elected President by House of 
Representatives, 281. 

Johnson, President, term of service 
and party represented, 272. 

Judicial system of United States 
described, 180. 

Knot, at sea, length, 232. 

Legal-tender quality of coins of 
United States, 158; notes, de¬ 
scription and history, 32. 

Lincoln, President, term of service 
and party represented, 272. 

Madison, President, term of service 
and party represented, 272. 

Mail, how handled on postal oars, 
23. 

Mail service, cost of, 24. 

Mails, foreign, statistics of, 109. 

McKinley, President, date of in¬ 
auguration and party represented, 
272. 

Mexico, war with, 245. 

Military organizations of the United 
States and other nations com¬ 
pared, 246. 

Military training in European 
countries, 246. 

Minor coins of United States, his¬ 
tory, w'eight, etc., 155. 




342 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


Mint, United States, wlien estab¬ 
lished, 128, 146 ; visit to and de¬ 
scription of operations, 84. 

Mints of the United States, wliere 
located, 150. 

Modern artillery described, 231. 

Modern war vessels described, 229. 

Money, the first authorized by Con¬ 
gress, 126; first paper issued in 
United States, 139; of Kevolu- 
tionary period, 142; paper of 
United States, history of, 139-147 ; 
metallic, of United States, history 
of, 127; in the United States, 
various kinds, 39 ; of the w'orld, 
per capita of various nations, 171. 

Money-order system of Post Office 
Department established, 27. 

Monometallism defined, 167. 

Monroe, President, term of service 
and party represented, 272. 

Moraines, description of, 64. 

National bank notes, description 
and history, 34. 

National banks of the United States, 
145-147. 

National political conventions, 
when first held, 279. 

Naval vessels, modern, description 
of, 229 ; various types described, 
232. 

Navy, United States, history of, 
227. 

Nominations, by great parties, when 
begun and etfect, 278. 

Officeholders in the United States, 

210 . 

Ohio Lake, when it existed and 
why, 61-67. 

One thousand dollars, gold or silver, 
weight of, 7. 


Paper money of the United States, 
description and amount in circu¬ 
lation, 32-39; history, 139-147. 

Parties, political, history of, 268. 

Party conventions for nomination 
for President, when begun, 276. 

“ Pet banks,” 144-147. 

Pensions in United States, annual 
cost, 210. 

Per capita of debt of United 
States, 200 ; other nations, 200; 
of money in the United States, 
171; other nations, 171; of taxes 
in the United States, 202; other 
nations, 202; of wealth in the 
United States, 200; other na¬ 
tions, 200. 

Pierce, President, term of service 
and party represented, 272. 

Pine tree shilling, 125. 

Political conventions, national, 
wffien first held, 279. 

Political parties in the United 
States, history of, 268 ; Presidents 
they have elected, 270-272. 

Polk, President, term of service and 
party represented, 272. 

Post otfice, first one established in 
the United States, 25. 

Postage, rates of, at various dates, 
106; when made uniform, 27; 
two-cent rate, when established, 
27 ; foreign, rates of. 111. 

Postage stamps, by wdiom devised, 
106 ; when first issued, 106 ; when 
first used in United States, 27 ; 
rare, prices of, etc., 104. 

Postal cars, how mail is distributed 
by them, 23. 

Postal system of the United States, 
brief history, 25, 

Postal Union, Universal, rates and 
countries included in, 111. 




INDEX. 


343 


Pound, number of troy grains in, 

7. 

Prehistoric man during ice age in 
North America, 66. 

President, method of election dis- 
cusse’d, 277. 

Presidential, electors, duties and 
why chosen, 277; nominations, 
how made at various times, 278. 

Presidents elected by the House of 
Kepresentatives, 281. 

Presidents of the United States, 
term of service and party repre¬ 
sented, 272. 

Kapid-fire guns, 231. 

Ratio of silver to gold in coins of 
various countries, 169. 

Republican party in national poli¬ 
tics, history of, 268. 

Revolutionary period, its money, 
142. 

Rocks, stratified, how formed, 62. 

School privileges in the United 
States compared with other na¬ 
tions, 201. 

Senate elects Vice-President if not 
chosen by electors, 281. 

Sliilling, “ pine tree,” 12.5. 

Silver certificate, description and 
liistory of, 36. 

Silver dollar, weight of, 7 ; number 
in circulation and in Treasury, 
37; number represented by cer¬ 
tificates in circulation, 37. 

Silver, free coinage discussed, 167 ; 
its use as money limited by va¬ 
rious na'tions, 168. 

Smelting of gold and silver de¬ 
scribed, 97. 

Stalactites, how formed, 52. 

Stalagmites, how formed, 52, 


Stamps, postage, when devised and 
by whom, 106 ; when first issued, 
106 ; when first used in United 
States, 27. 

“ Standard ” gold and silver de¬ 
scribed, 88. 

Standing armies of the great na¬ 
tions, 246. 

“ Star routes,” how mail is handled 
on them, 23; length, number, 
etc., 24. 

“ Strict constructionists ” in Ameri¬ 
can politics, 68. 

Tariff, on what classes of articles 
levied, 210 ; first one adopted de¬ 
clared for protection of manufac¬ 
turers, 258 ; party divisions with 
reference to its application, 258. 

Tariff, outline history of, 256. 

Tariffs of the world, 259. 

Taxes for the support of Govern¬ 
ment, how levied and collected, 
209 ; in the United States com¬ 
pared with those elsewhere, 202. 

Tea thrown overboard, Boston 
harbor, 79, 

Terminal moraines, description of, 
64. 

Treasury notes, description and 
history of, 38. 

Treaty of Ghent, 244. 

Tripoli, war of United States with, 
245. 

Troglodytes, 49, 

Tyler, President, term of service 
and party represented, 272. 

United States Bank, history of, 
144-147; Capitol, cost of, 240; 
burned by British troops, 241; 
Courts, history and relation to 
State courts, 180; Government, 



344 


UNCLE SAM’S SECRETS. 


receipts, and expenditures, 208- 
210; mints, where located, 159 ; 
when established, 128-146 ; navy, 
history of, 226. 

Universal Postal Union, 110. 

Van Buren, President, term of 
service and party represented, 
272. 

Vice-President, to be chosen by 
Senate if electors fail to elect, 
281. 

Viva voce method in early elec¬ 
tions, 215. 


Wages in the United States com¬ 
pared with other countries, 123. 

Wampum, the early currency of 
America, 123. 

War ships, modern, 229. 

Wars of the United States, 242. 

Washington, PresicTent, term of 
service and party represented, 
272. 

Wealth in the United States com¬ 
pared with other nations, 200. 

Whigs in national politics, 268. 

Woman suffrage, where in opera¬ 
tion in the United States, 215. 


THE END. 









. « 




i 


w/., ■ ■■ ^ 

-^\4 


. • S'n ' 

'iy f -sf /.. H«. .V;^ 





a 


.si 


> 







I 







I 


'I' 



* ^ 


t 


A. 







* » ■ '.A' 

•.*#. ' Jf 





. • '•V 

'I i V» 


» 


t,. 

• \ 



..4 


' 4 






\ § 

9 m 



i 





. V* _ f, -r 

• U 


-o -. * A. ♦TtvT* j 



^o.*% 

\v ^ 

V ^ 


• # ^ 


W f # 



• II 0 



A V o H/ ^S \ N 4 A > • 

V ^ ^ ^ 

■’’ °o j-i-'®^' '^•f 

’ '^OV*- • 


jv-’V- 

#>- A /j<\^^/k<; •iij. a'?' .' 

V^ ' '• • 


,'^ ... 


-• 



e • o ' aO 

■• y v^l- ■■• 

'= 5 «'» . 4 ^ 'AmA". 



* o 



' •••'-Ab. .q'?’ ....,% v' .*”'. "^c 






❖> 


.4 



-O'- o ^ 

„ °o >*’ .‘ 1 ^%'^ 

4 !^ ^<* o 4p VV 

* ♦jaW/V,*; 

» '<‘V 'V'V 



0^0 





V 

■O ‘'■'T^'^’ .0^ ■'^ 'o’. ■;• .<\ o. 

'*#- °, .•••o '* 




\v ,. ®.i. ••»•’ aO V ‘rr.-‘ , 

*■ • ^Y» c!^ ♦ fK\ «8 /)i*’ \‘^ 

... .o’- ‘'.^.T- -\^ ^ ' 

•o'^ -.‘"o % .«> 



•”--'%% , 0 ’^ ..‘J/o 'f'. 

^ ^ ♦ oilR/TZo^*^ 

’^> ^ ^ Jru///>>C^ ^ 

. ^ 0 ^ 

• 40 • • 

' v^"WV''”V 

♦ <!? ^ O V W* ♦ A V 

> -cl'' fi- • 4 •<?* 




^ V .. ^ ® *• ® < 5 ^ * • / n • 4 










